Today, I will make a Difference

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… I will get up. It’s OK to fail… I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference.

(This devotion is from Max Lucado’s Upwords devotion. I am on my 25th wedding Anniversary vacation. Hope this devotion ministered to you as much as it did to me. I will be back to my regular posting Monday, March 2)

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

An Uncommon Call to an Uncommon Life

Each person is given something to do that shows who God is.
1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG

Da Vinci painted one Mona Lisa. Beethoven composed one Fifth Symphony. And God made one version of you. He custom designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment. Mine like a gold digger the unique-to-you nuggets from your life.

When I was six years old, my father built us a house. Architectural Digest didn't notice, but my mom sure did. Dad constructed it, board by board, every day after work. My youth didn't deter him from giving me a job. He tied an empty nail apron around my waist, placed a magnet in my hands, and sent me on daily patrols around the building site, carrying my magnet only inches off the ground.

One look at my tools and you could guess my job. Stray-nail collector.

One look at yours and the same can be said. Brick by brick, life by life, God is creating a kingdom, a "spiritual house" (1 Pet. 2:5 CEV). He entrusted you with a key task in the project. Examine your tools and discover it. Your ability unveils your destiny. "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" (1 Pet. 4:11). When God gives an assignment, he also gives the skill. Study your skills, then, to reveal your assignment.

Look at you. Your uncanny ease with numbers. Your quenchless curiosity about chemistry. Others stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and drool. "I was made to do this," you say.

Heed that inner music. No one else hears it the way you do.

What about you? Our Maker gives assignments to people, "to each according to each one's unique ability" (Matt. 25:15). As he calls, he equips. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness.

You have one. A divine spark. An uncommon call to an uncommon life. "The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others" (1 Cor. 12:7 CEV). So much for the excuse "I don't have anything to offer." Did the apostle Paul say, "The Spirit has given some of us …"? Or, "The Spirit has given a few of us …"? No. "The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others." Enough of this self-deprecating "I can't do anything."

And enough of its arrogant opposite: "I have to do everything ." No, you don't! You're not God's solution to society, but a solution in society. Imitate Paul, who said, "Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us" (2 Cor. 10:13 NLT). Clarify your contribution.

Don't worry about skills you don't have. Don't covet strengths others do have. Just extract your uniqueness. "Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you" (2 Tim. 1:6 NASB).

(This devotion is from Max Lucado's Upwords devotion. I am on my 25^th wedding Anniversary vacation. Hope this devotion ministered to you as much as it did to me.)

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

From God’s Perspective

"We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope" (Thessalonians 4:13 JB).

The Thessalonian church had buried her share of loved ones. And the apostle wanted the members who remained to be at peace regarding the ones who had gone ahead. Many of you have buried loved ones as well. And just as God spoke to them, he speaks to you.

If you'll celebrate a marriage anniversary alone this year, he speaks to you.

If your child made it to heaven before making it to kindergarten, he speaks to you.

If you lost a loved one in violence, if you learned more than you want to know about disease, if your dreams were buried as they lowered the casket, God speaks to you.

He speaks to all of us who have stood or will stand in the soft dirt near an open grave. And to us he gives this confident word: "I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died" (1 Thess. 4:13–14 TLB).

God transforms our hopeless grief into hope-filled grief. How? By telling us that we will see our loved ones again.
Isn't that what we want to believe? We long to know that our loved ones are safe in death. We long for the reassurance that the soul goes immediately to be with God. But dare we believe it? Can we believe it? According to the Bible we can.

Scripture is surprisingly quiet about this phase of our lives. When speaking about the period between the death of the body and the resurrection of the body, the Bible doesn't shout; it just whispers. But at the confluence of these whispers, a firm voice is heard. This authoritative voice assures us that at death the Christian immediately enters into the presence of God and enjoys conscious fellowship with the Father and with those who have gone before.

Where do I get such ideas? Listen to some of the whispers:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the tw I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. (Phil. 1:21–23 NIV)

We don't like to say good-bye to those we love. But if what the Bible says about heaven is true, and I believe it is, then the ultimate prayer, the ultimate answered prayer, is heaven.

It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. They have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I might wonder why God took them home. But they don't. They understand. They are, at this very moment, at peace in the presence of God.

(This devotion is from Max Lucado's Upwords devotion. I am on my 25^th wedding Anniversary vacation. Hope this devotion ministered to you as much as it did to me.)

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

He loves to be with the Ones He loves

Holiday travel. It isn't easy. Then why do we do it? Why cram the trunks and endure the airports? You know the answer. We love to be with the ones we love.

The four-year-old running up the sidewalk into the arms of Grandpa.

The cup of coffee with Mom before the rest of the house awakes.

That moment when, for a moment, everyone is quiet as we hold hands around the table and thank God for family and friends and pumpkin pie.

We love to be with the ones we love.

May I remind you? So does God. He loves to be with the ones he loves. How else do you explain what he did? Between him and us there was a distance—a great span. And he couldn't bear it. He couldn't stand it. So he did something about it.

Before coming to the earth, "Christ himself was like God in every-thing.… But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant" (Phil. 2:6–7 NCV).

Why? Why did Jesus travel so far?

I was asking myself that question when I spotted the squirrels outside my window. A family of black-tailed squirrels has made its home amid the roots of the tree north of my office. We've been neighbors for three years now. They watch me peck the keyboard. I watch them store their nuts and climb the trunk. We're mutually amused. I could watch them all day. Sometimes I do.

But I've never considered becoming one of them. The squirrel world holds no appeal to me. Who wants to sleep next to a hairy rodent with beady eyes? (No comments from you wives who feel you already do.) Give up the Rocky Mountains, bass fishing, weddings, and laughter for a hole in the ground and a diet of dirty nuts? Count me out.

But count Jesus in. What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. Earth's finest cuisine would be walnuts on heaven's table. And the idea of becoming a squirrel with claws and tiny teeth and a furry tail? It's nothing compared to God becoming a one-celled embryo and entering the womb of Mary.

But he did. The God of the universe kicked against the wall of a womb, was born into the poverty of a peasant, and spent his first night in the feed trough of a cow. "The Word became flesh and lived among us" (John 1:14 NRSV). The God of the universe left the glory of heaven and moved into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood! Who could have imagined he would do such a thing.

Why? He loves to be with the ones he loves.

(This devotion is from Max Lucado's Upwords devotion. I am on my 25^th wedding Anniversary vacation. Hope this devotion ministered to you as much as it did to me.)

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

“Give us this day our Daily Bread

This week I am celebrating my 25^th wedding anniversary, and enjoying a cruise with my beautiful wife. Because of this, I plan to post some of my favorite devotions from Max Lucado. They have ministered to me, and believe they will to you as well:

Jesus told us to pray "Give us this day our Daily Bread." What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Psalm 23:5 MSG).

And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.

This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. "Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?"

The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables—twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.

All are important and all are from God.

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).

Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did. And with God's help, you can too. Amen?

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

Recharging with Fresh Hope

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well. As I spent precious time with Jesus this morning, He spoke in to my spirit the following message. Please allow me to share some SOAP from the Word of God as we allow the "washing of water by the Word" (Ephesians 5:26)…

Scripture:

Acts 20:1-3 With things back to normal, Paul called the disciples together and encouraged them to keep up the good work in Ephesus. Then, saying his good-byes, he left for Macedonia. (2) Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope. Then he came to Greece (3) and stayed on for three months. Just as he was about to sail for Syria, the Jews cooked up a plot against him. So he went the other way, by land back through Macedonia, and gave them the slip.

Observation:

Acts 20:1-16 maintains the chronology of Paul's third missionary journey. This was also a very important and productive time in his ministry. Checking corollary references in the epistles, we discover that some of his most refined theological dissertations which have blessed Christians through the ages were written during this period.Acts 20:1 sets the theme for this brief passage. It shows us the profound love Paul had for his newly won converts to Christ. He called the disciples to him before departing for Macedonia. The scene is a tender one, dramatizing the love they shared together in the bond of Christ.

The rest of this section is so much more than a travelogue. The same love Paul felt for his new friends in Ephesus pressed him on to strengthen believers in churches he had started. His route took him to Macedonia. There he wrote Second Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Corinthians 9:2-4). The energetic mind of the apostle was focused on the needs of new Christians who needed encouragement, affirmation, and loving correction. Amazing-while visiting the Macedonian churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, his concern pressed on ahead to Corinth. When he arrived there, he encouraged the church and found time to write the Epistle to the Romans, his most comprehensive statement of the gospel. How blessed we are that he was given the vision to go to Rome and that his letter to the Christians there has been preserved as part of sacred Scripture.

Application:

As I think about the pressure that Paul was facing during the time of the text we are looking at today, I realize that I have never encountered anything near the stress and pressure that he had in his life at this time. He was constantly pursued by religious people. They not only wanted to destroy him, but they truly wanted to kill him. They tried to discredit him as an Apostle, and would go to any means to accomplish that feat. However...encouragement was a way of life for him. In spite of the personal problems he faced, he continued to be used of God to encourage. Notice verse two. Paul is coming away from a time of persecution and threats, yet he is the one who encouraged the disciples to keep up the good work. Then as he traveled, again facing constant threats and persecution, he did the following three things:

Gave constant encouragement! Paul was the encourager. One of his purposes in life was to encourage as many as he could each day. I truly want to encourage someone today. How about you? Too often we are discouragers with our words, expressions, body language. I am making up my mind RIGHT NOW to encourage someone. Every day from now on, my morning prayer is going to include, "Lord, lay someone on my heart today that I can encourage through email, text, phone call, in person, or via letter." What a way to live.

Secondly, he lifted their spirits! The disciples felt better about themselves and their Christian walk after spending some time with Paul. That is what happens when you lift someone's spirits. I have been with people before that when they left my presence, I felt horrible, as if I needed spiritual bath. They were so negative about everything and everybody. Without realizing it, they dampened or lowered my spirit. I NEVER want anyone to feel that their spirits are lowered after spending time with me. I plan to ask God to use me every day to lift someone's spirits. I want them to feel better about their walk and life in Christ.

Finally, he charged them with fresh hope! Wow! After spending time with Paul, just like a battery can be recharged, they were recharged in the area of hope. Paul was used to get their hopes up. Those around him were probably discouraged and wondering if God had forgotten about them, but this anointed, godly man reminded them to get their hopes up, to put their hopes in the God of hope. I have been around people who drained any hope that I had as rapidly as a remote car's battery can be drained by constant use. They leave and I feel like finding a cliff to jump off of. Dear Lord, please help me to never, ever cause anyone's hope to be drained from them by my words, or actions. I want to understand hope like King David did:

Acts 2:25-26 David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he's right by my side. (26) I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the land of hope.

I make the choice TODAY to, give constant encouragement, lift the spirits, and charge with fresh hope anyone that I come in contact with today! Today, I pitch my tent in the land of hope!

Prayer:

"Lord, I thank you so much for this powerful Word that has spoken into my Spirit and challenged me. Too often I do just the opposite of what I read today. Instead of giving encouragement, I can discourage. Instead of lifting someone's spirits, I can dampen them. And instead of charging someone with fresh hope, I can drain their hope. This is not what I want, nor what you want. So TODAY, my prayer is that you will help me to understand that you are going to give me divine appointments with individuals that need to be encouraged, to have their spirits lifted, and to be infused with fresh hope. I make a commitment right now to walk in the Spirit and allow you to nudge me towards the right words to write or speak. Forgive me Lord for anything that I have done or said to discourage and allow me to be constantly aware, from this point on of how you want to use me even while I am in the midst of pain and suffering. This life is not about me, it is about you. I love you Lord Jesus, and thank you for what you are teaching me daily. In Jesus name! Amen."

Shrug my shoulders and keep my joy!

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well. A reminder that Ephesians 5:26 in talking about the church says, "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." In my daily journal I take the word soap and use and acrostic to help the Word of God "wash" my spirit man. I would like to share with you some SOAP that God gave me today from His Word:

Scripture:

Act 13:49-14:3 And this Message of salvation spread like wildfire all through the region. (50) Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. (51) Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, (52) brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples. (14:1) When they got to Iconium they went, as they always did, to the meeting place of the Jews and gave their message. The Message convinced both Jews and non-Jews--and not just a few, either. (2) But the unbelieving Jews worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street. (3) The two apostles were there a long time, speaking freely, openly, and confidently as they presented the clear evidence of God's gifts, God corroborating their work with miracles and wonders.

Observation:

In Chapter 13 we find ourselves again in the assembly at Antioch, and in the midst of the independent action of the Spirit of God. Certain prophets are there, Saul among them. They fasted and were occupied with the service of the Lord. The Holy Ghost commands them to separate unto Him Barnabas and Saul for the work to which He had called them Such was the source of the ministry of these two.

Assuredly it bore testimony to Him in whom they had believed, and whom Saul, at least, had seen, and it was under His authority they acted; but the positive and obvious source of their mission was the Holy Ghost. It was the Holy Ghost who called them to the work. They were sent forth (Acts 13:4) by Him - an all-important principle as to the Lord's ways upon earth. As they preach and teach the Word of God, people begin to stir up trouble and caused a large group of people to turn on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. Paul and Barnabas dusted off the dust from their feet, or as the Message says, "shrugged their shoulders and went to the next town brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples."

Application:

This truth speaks into my spirit man as I read over it again and again, and meditate upon it's truth. In spite of people turning on them (I'm certain that some of those that turned on them were some of their new found friends and converts), they were able to move on: without bitterness, without getting "mouthy", without feeling the need to retaliate, without trying to defend themselves, without becoming so offended that they stop working for God, without allowing their spirits to become poisoned, etc. I literally could go on and on.

It is so easy when someone is treating me in an unkind manner to respond in the same way to them. Afterwards, I can allow guilt, anger, bitterness, discouragement, and even depression to come over me. It is very easy to think that because someone points out the negative in my life, to allow their negative to become a negative determent to my heart and spirit. My prayer today is that I will respond to attacks like Paul and Barnabas did. I want to be able to shrug my shoulders and continue on with what God has called and equipped me to do. I must refuse to allow anything or anyone to hinder me from "brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit". May I walk out of conflict the way Paul and Barnabas did...they went on their way, following God's Spirit, "two happy disciples."

As I go into the next chapter, I see that they faced conflict once again, as people sowed "distrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street." Isn't that just like the devil? He uses whomever will allow him to. And his plan is to hinder the gospel of Jesus Christ from being spread. However, if I respond like Paul and Barnabas I can expect to see "God corroborating their work with miracles and wonders" in spite of the conflicts and opposition.

Prayer:

"Lord, my prayer today is that you help me to understand that NO ONE has the power within their actions or words to keep me from brimming over with the joy of the Holy Spirit. No one but me. I ask you to help me to shrug off the attacks on my faith today. I ask you to help me shrug off the discouraging things that are constantly bombarding my mind. I ask you to help me shrug off the doubts that tell me my prayers will never be answered. I ask you to help me shrug off the fears that permeate my mind when I am attempting something for your name and glory. I ask you to help me to shrug off the whispers in my ear in the middle of the night that tries to tell me that this situation is too big for even God. I could go on and on, Lord, with the things that I need to shrug off today. As I shrug these hindrances off, may I also go on about the work and business that you have for me today. And as I do it, help me to walk through today, brimming over with the power and person of the Holy Spirit, and at the end of the day, may I still be a "happy disciple" for you. I know in my heart that you will corroborate your work with miracles in wonders...in YOUR time. I love you Lord, and thank you for this day that you have made. I will continue to rejoice and be glad in it. In Jesus name, amen!"

Barnabas-Son of Encouragement

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well.

Several years ago, I started using an acrostic in my personal journaling that I learned from Pastor and Author Wayne Cordeiro. It has enriched my personal devotion life. He uses the acrostic SOAP to journal thoughts from God's Word. SOAP stands for: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Ephesians 5:26, in talking about the church says, "having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…" The Word of God truly washes us even better than SOAP. I would like to share some SOAP with you today. Today's blog is about twice as long as I normally post, but I hope you will take a few moments to read it and allow God's Word to cleanse you!

Scripture:

Acts 4:36-37 "Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, (37) sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."

Observation:

The church was going through a time of persecution, yet the church was thriving and growing. The Holy Spirit was causing the people of God to speak the Word of God with great boldness. One of the people that the Lord used mightily during this time is Barnabas. Barnabas (Joseph) was a respected leader of the church. He was a Levite by birth, a member of the Jewish tribe that carried out Temple duties. But his family had moved to Cyprus, so Barnabas didn't serve in the Temple. He traveled with Paul on Paul's first missionary journey.

Application:

I read about a University football coach who each year would privately talk to a new player at the beginning of football season. He told him, "I'm very impressed with your ability. If you work really hard this year, I think you're good enough to make it to the National Football League." He told this to every player on the team! You know what happened? He had the highest percentage of players of any University to make it into professional football.

We have all met people like that — those who believed in us so much that we began to believe in ourselves. The result was we tried harder and we did better. Acts 15:35-41 tells us more about Barnabas. Notice the following:

Verse 35

But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

In our study text, Acts 4:36, he is called the "Son of Encouragement." In the verses below you can see that his name matched his character. When the church in Antioch began to grow, Acts 11:22 tells us the Apostles in Jerusalem decided to send Barnabas there to help the new church out.

Verse 36

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

Two years before this, Paul and Barnabas had ventured out from their home base in Antioch to establish many churches on their First Missionary Journey. Now Paul wanted to return to encourage these churches in the faith.

Verse 37

And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas. He probably was a young minister. We know from Acts 12:25 and Acts 13:5 that John Mark had gone with them on the First Missionary Journey. Acts 12:25 tells us, "And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark." And Acts 13:5 says, "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister."

Although John Mark traveled with them for the first part of the journey, he left the missionary team at Perga as Acts 13:13 records, "Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem."

Verse 38

But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.

There is much conjecture as to why Mark left them at Perga. Some have gone so far as to suggest that John Mark was uneasy seeing Gentiles being saved. But this hardly makes sense since Paul, Barnabas, and Mark had been ministering in Antioch which was a Gentile church.

Perhaps the best explanation is the one given plainly in verse 38, he had not gone with them to the work. He was going along as an important part of the missionary team, and he had proven unreliable. He quit before the job was done. This is born out by the original manuscripts. Paul calls Mark in the Greek ouk exiou which means "not worthy" or "not fit." He considered John Mark undependable.

We have all experienced the frustration of being around unreliable people. After awhile we learn not to count on them. If there's an important job to do, we look for people that we can count on. This may have been what was in Paul's mind.

Verse 39

And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

As we read the Bible, we discover numerous examples of Paul's stubbornness. This is one of them. He was used greatly by God, and yet there were times when he could be very strong-willed. Perhaps one of the reasons there was such a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas was that ordinarily Barnabas was a very easy-going person. He was a gentle man who had great compassion for others. Perhaps he was in the habit of overlooking many of Paul's rougher characteristics.

We need more Barnabas's in the church today — people who will overlook the faults in others and gently work together with caring and compassion.

Barnabas had compassion for Paul, but he had more compassion for John Mark who was the younger minister. He was willing to give Mark another chance, when Paul was ready to give up on him. Barnabas was willing to work with Mark, when Paul wanted to have nothing to do with him. Barnabas wanted to show patience to Mark, when Paul saw no hope for the young man.

Adam Clarke commented in 1825, "John Mark had been tried in trying circumstances, and he failed. Paul, therefore, would not trust him again. The affection of Barnabas led him to hope the best, and was therefore desirous to give him another trial. Barnabas would not give up: Paul would not agree."

Are we like Barnabas? Are we willing to help others, and patiently work with them? Are we a Son of Encouragement?

Paul should not have been surprised by the behavior of Barnabas. Barnabas was treating Mark the same way he treated Paul years earlier when everyone in Jerusalem wanted nothing to do with him. Acts 9:26-27 tells us, "And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."

Here we see Barnabas coming along side Paul when no one else would. Later, when Barnabas was sent to Antioch, he realized there was a work to do there that might call for the talents of his old companion Paul. Once again he had compassion on him, and Acts 11:25-26 tells us, "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch."

We see a pattern in the behavior of Barnabas, don't we? The disciples called him the Son of Encouragement. He helped out Paul when no one else wanted to touch him. Now we see him helping out John Mark when Paul is ready to give up on him. We need to have some of Barnabas to rub off on us, don't we?

Barnabas understood that we all fail from time to time. We all need a little help along the way. He could see the potential in Mark that Paul, and perhaps Mark himself, could not see. Barnabas wanted to help people to become the very best they can be in the Lord. Is that our desire? We need to be more like Barnabas.

David Brown comments, "Now, since John Mark did retrieve his character in these respects, and a reconciliation took place between Paul and him—a reconciliation so cordial that the apostle expresses more than once the confidence he had in him, and the value he set upon his services —it may seem that events showed Barnabas to be in the right, and Paul too harsh and hasty in his judgment."

Verse 40-41

But Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Instead of going with his long-time companion Barnabas, Paul chose Silas. God blessed them on this Second Missionary Journey as we read in the succeeding chapters of Acts. So in spite of their sharp disagreement, God still used Paul in this work, but what about Barnabas?

We don't read anything more about Barnabas. McGee fills in the missing details, "He went to Cyprus and there he had a great ministry. Barnabas had come from Cyprus; it was his home. He had a desire to take the gospel to his own people. We know from tradition that he had a great ministry there, and from Cyprus a great ministry was carried on in North Africa."

Although Barnabas doesn't appear in scripture after this point, we do read a lot more about John Mark. In Philemon 24 and Colossians 4:10 Mark is mentioned as a fellow-laborer with Paul. The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia comments, "About 11 years elapse before we hear of him again. He is at Rome with Paul. The breach is healed. He is now one of the faithful few among Jewish Christians who stand by Paul. He is Paul's honored 'fellowworker' and a great 'comfort' to him."

This is what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:11, "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." Now Paul calls Mark "profitable to me for the ministry." How times have changed.

So what brought about all this miraculous change in John Mark? One man, Barnabas, who believed in him, was there to encourage him, and helped him overcome his failings. Who is your John Mark? What person do you need to come along side and be a "Barnabas" to? those that were around Barnabas the most nick named him "Son of encouragement". Those that know me best and are around me the most, what would they call me? I have decided that I want to be a Barnabas. If we all decide to do this, the world will be a better place for it.

Oh, by the way, John Mark became so encouraged in the Lord, that he had to write about the story of Jesus. We have all read his book — it is the Gospel of Mark! We have a major part of the our Bible because someone took the time, and effort, to encourage

Prayer:

"Lord, I see the need to be a Barnabas. I have a tendency to be negative when I get frustrated. I ask you today to use me to encourage someone. Help me make a difference in someone's life today. I know that I will come in contact with someone who is discouraged, depressed and ready to give up. My encounter with them can either send them deeper into the dark pit of spirit of heaviness, or my words, attitude, and kindness can give them a ray of hope. Use me dear Lord, to offer that ray of hope, which is the light of Jesus shining through me. My prayer today, is at the end of this day, someone's life and day will be enriched because you used me to speak encouragement. I love you Jesus, and thank you for how you have encouraged me today! In Jesus name, amen!"

The Power of the Blood

God designed blood to deliver oxygen and nutrition to your cells; without it your limbs and organs die. Your white cells are uniquely qualified to act as a "militia", attacking harmful bacteria that could otherwise kill you. And your physical body illustrates the function of Jesus' blood in the church, which is His body. Paul says, "A body is made up of many parts, and each… has its own use. That's how it is with us… we are… part of the body of Christ, as well as… of one another" (Romans 12:4-5 CEV).

Regardless of morality, maturity or rank, we all need the sin-cleansing, life-giving power of the blood. Without it we have no proof of our son-ship. Just as a doctor draws blood to verify who your earthly father is, the blood of Jesus makes us "[sons and] heir[s], with complete access to [our spiritual] inheritance" (Galatians 4:7 TM). Strength and nourishment, plus every promise and blessing, flow to us today through the blood of Jesus. And Satan hates it because not only does it redeem us, it "makes our consciences clear… we can serve… God and no longer do things that lead to death" (Hebrews 9:14 CEV).

One Christian teacher writes: "We've toned down our teaching of the blood… We've learned about the Spirit… but failed to teach about the blood. Consequently we've produced a generation of believers who are empowered by the Spirit but don't feel forgiven… They're exercising spiritual gifts, but living in guilt… The blood must be preached. Without it we've no life." So let's emphasize the power of the blood. Why? "Without the… blood, there is no forgiveness of sin" (Hebrews 9:22 NLT).

Ever notice when somebody sins or falls short in an area that we relate to, we're quick to give thanks that Jesus' blood covers all our sins! But if that person happens to fail in an area where we're strong, often our first inclination is to feel morally superior and want to deny them the blood's cleansing power.

Sin affects each of us differently according to our background and disposition. But regardless of the symptoms it's the same disease, and there's only one remedy - the blood of Jesus. Without that we're all in trouble; black, white, rich, poor, homosexual, heterosexual, drug addict and alcoholic alike. Jesus' blood is the only thing that makes forgiveness and a clean slate possible, regardless of what we've done. The Bible says that Jesus created… a fresh start for everybody… through His death… Christ came and preached peace to… outsiders and… insiders… treated us as equals… through Him we… have equal access to the Father… You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone… He's using us all - irrespective of how we got here. Don't for a second think that you have unlimited access to God's mercy and forgiveness, then deny that same access to your brother and sister in Christ! The Bible says, "If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself." Why? Because, "You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out" (Galatians 6:1 TM).

In other words, don't burn the bridge you yourself might need to cross some day. If you're secretly harboring a condescending attitude about somebody else's failures today, you need to repent and allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse you.

Do our churches need to be more seeker-friendly? Absolutely! Should we develop our gifts to a higher level, then offer them to God? Yes! But there are some things church attendance won't fix and talent can't do. Only the blood of Jesus can lift you out of a family under the sentence of death, and place you in one that offers pardon, peace and purpose, not to mention a heavenly home that makes the richest folks in your town look like they're living on skid-row.

Ever hear of "the wages of sin?" Every rebellious act goes on your account. And those payments add up. You can roll them over, but eventually they've got to be paid. Well, God recognizes only one currency - the blood of Jesus. "The blood… makes atonement" (Leviticus 17:11 NKJV). The word atonement just means at-one-ment! Atonement wipes out the debt, bridges the gap and makes you one with God.

Furthermore, the blood of Jesus draws a line in the sand over which Satan dare not step. "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11). Each time you testify to what the blood has done for you, Satan is silenced. Each time you say, "I plead the blood", he retreats; he must, he's no other option. In Exodus, even the death angel had to back off once the blood had been applied to the doorposts. And it's the same with you. Study the message of the blood. Learn to use its power and walk in victory every day. Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

Leading from Complaints

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well.

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading through the story of the Israelites and have been, once again, amazed at the complaining spirit that they exhibited on a regular basis. Even though God has miraculously delivered them, provided for them and led them, instead of having a grateful heart, they constantly complained. As a pastor and leader, I must realize that there are still those who are "addicted" to complaining. How do I deal with that?

I read an article from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro recently that I would like to share with you.

Moses had over a million frustrated people complaining in the desert for a new menu, bottled water, and meat! No more Manna bread. He had it the worst, didn't he?

Every leader will face complaints, but not all complaints are necessarily bad. If we develop a rash every time someone complains, we will become jaded to what could have been a turning point in ministry and leadership.

Ecclesiastes 7:21 reminds us: "Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you." Leaders are resilient and sometimes deaf ... intentionally deaf.

But other times, it might do us well to listen.

In Acts 6:1, we find these words: "While the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose ... because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food." One common denominator of growing ministries will be ... problems! But it is not problems that will ruin us. It is how we deal with them that will be the truest test of them all. If we develop an aversion to complaints and problems, we will never lead. We might manage--we might even maintain for a length of time--but we will never lead.

We can deal with problems in several ways. Let me give you two.

The first is this:

The twelve summoned the congregation and dealt with it graciously. They faced the problem, saw that it was a credible concern, and without letting it dilute their roles, they resolved it. In fact, this was a turning point; it was the inaugural stages of developing a multiplicity of leaders.

And one of the first? Stephen.

Look at the response of the twelve:

"Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

For the twelve, the problem and complaint that arose served only to confirm their calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Don't let problems cause you to cave in. I have in the past, and it only served to fry my jets.

But here is a second way.

Later on in verse 9, we find a boisterous group called the Freedmen.

"But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen ... rose up and argued with Stephen... they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."

When problems occurred, they secretly induced men toward opposition and stirred up the people. It ended in the death of Stephen.

Surely the Freedmen felt there were troubles at hand. They came against what they thought was problematic and their solution was to end it at the cost of lives and relationships.

I have been involved in both ways, and let me assure you that the second is not the pathway of choice. Recently, I had to write over a half dozen letter of repentance for having the heart of the Freedmen rather than the Twelve. I have a habit of fixing things, but sometimes things are not yet ready to be fixed. A leader is patient. A leader may know what to do, but as in music, timing is every bit as important as the notes.

It is easy to become unbalanced and demand the notes are hit without regard to timing. We end up finding that we've become enforcers of scores rather than makers of music.

Both groups wanted to resolve matters, but one preserved relationships and the other did not.

Remember, one of the common denominators of growing ministries will be problems and complaints. Lead well out of the complaints. Moses faltered between methods and it kept him out of the Promised Land.

Don't miss Beulah Land.

The sands will get hot and the way will seem longer than necessary. When you are NOT the leader, you'll need patience with your complaints. And when you ARE the leader, you'll need patience with others'. If not, we may accomplish what we set out to accomplish, but there'll be no one left!

It's no fun coming across alone with only body bags in our wagons. Lead out of complaints well, and we will cross the Jordan one day together ... with everyone in tact.

What a powerful word that ministered deeply into my heart. I hope it does you as well. Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

When you pray, God hears

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well.

As I told you yesterday, I am sharing again today a powerful devotion from Max Lucado. I pray it speaks to you the way it did to me:

Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don't even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago. His name is not important. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did.

He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went. Others cared for the sick man in other ways. Some brought food; others provided treatment; still others comforted the family. Each role was crucial. Each person was helpful, but no one was more vital than the one who went to Jesus.

John writes: "So Mary and Martha sent *someone* to tell Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick'" (John 11:3, emphasis mine).

Someone carried the request. Someone walked the trail. Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus. And because someone went, Jesus responded.

In the economy of heaven, the prayers of saints are a valued commodity. John the apostle would agree. He wrote the story of Lazarus and was careful to show the sequence: The healing began when the request was made.

The phrase the friend of Lazarus used is worth noting. When he told Jesus of the illness, he said, "The one you love is sick." The power of the prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer but on the one who hears the prayer.

We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. "The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed." The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven so he won't miss a word. The Master heard the request. Jesus stopped whatever he was doing and took note of the man's words. This anonymous courier was heard by God.

John's message is critical. You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens.

Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. "The smoke from the incense went up from the angel's hand to God" (Rev. 8:4). Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.

One call and heaven's fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God's power in heaven.

You are the someone of God's kingdom. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don't need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!

When you speak, Jesus hears.

And when Jesus hears, the world is changed.

All because someone prayed.

I want to make sure I speak to God every single day! Amen? Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

From God’s Perspective

For the next couple of days I would like to share with you two devotions from Max Lucado that spoke deeply into my spirit man. I believe it will do the same for you.

"We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope" (Thessalonians 4:13 JB).

The Thessalonian church had buried her share of loved ones. And the apostle wanted the members who remained to be at peace regarding the ones who had gone ahead. Many of you have buried loved ones as well. And just as God spoke to them, he speaks to you.

If you'll celebrate a marriage anniversary alone this year, he speaks to you.

If your child made it to heaven before making it to kindergarten, he speaks to you.

If you lost a loved one in violence, if you learned more than you want to know about disease, if your dreams were buried as they lowered the casket, God speaks to you.

He speaks to all of us who have stood or will stand in the soft dirt near an open grave. And to us he gives this confident word: "I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died" (1 Thess. 4:13–14 TLB).

God transforms our hopeless grief into hope-filled grief. How? By telling us that we will see our loved ones again.

Isn't that what we want to believe? We long to know that our loved ones are safe in death. We long for the reassurance that the soul goes immediately to be with God. But dare we believe it? Can we believe it? According to the Bible we can.

Scripture is surprisingly quiet about this phase of our lives. When speaking about the period between the death of the body and the resurrection of the body, the Bible doesn't shout; it just whispers. But at the confluence of these whispers, a firm voice is heard. This authoritative voice assures us that at death the Christian immediately enters into the presence of God and enjoys conscious fellowship with the Father and with those who have gone before.

Where do I get such ideas? Listen to some of the whispers:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. (Phil. 1:21–23 NIV)

We don't like to say good-bye to those we love. But if what the Bible says about heaven is true, and I believe it is, then the ultimate prayer, the ultimate answered prayer, is heaven.

It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. They have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I might wonder why God took them home. But they don't. They understand. They are, at this very moment, at peace in the presence of God. Amen? Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

The Value of the Mountain Top

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well.



I am very excited about 2009. The theme for our church, and for me personally is to "Overcome the Status Quo in 2009" It is so easy to get into a rut and just coast through life. I don't believe that it is what God intended for our lives.

Listen to what Jesus says to Nathanael in John 1:50:

John 1:49-50 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (50) Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these."


Nathanael was very impressed that Jesus saw him when he was under the fig tree and was able to tell him about it. Jesus told him, if that impresses you, just wait and watch what you are about to see. Then He said, "You will see GREATER things than these." This is 0ur theme verse for 2009. I believe that we will see even "greater things" than what we have ever seen in our relationship with Jesus, as we overcome the status quo.

As we seek the Lord, we will find the Lord teaching us and showing us things that we have never seen before. This happened to Peter, James and John in Matthew 17:

When Christ's disciples came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, they were faced with an epileptic boy who kept falling into fire and water. His heartbroken father told Christ, "I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him" (Matthew 17:16 NIV). Immediately, "Jesus rebuked the demon; and it came out of the boy" (Matthew 17:18 NIV).

Notice:

(1) Mountain-top experiences are to equip us for our next encounter with the enemy. If you don't understand that, you won't be prepared for the challenges ahead.

(2) We're called to minister to people who keep falling into situations that hurt them. And it's going to take more than personality and religious platitudes to set them free. Christ's disciples were powerless because they were prayerless. Jesus said: "This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21 NKJV). If we keep doing the 'same old, same old', we'll keep getting the same old results. Remember the definition of insanity, "Doing the same things you have always done and expecting different results." Persistent, prevailing prayer is what we need in order to walk in God's power.

(3) We must rise above the attitudes around us. Jesus confronted the core problem: "O faithless… generation" (Matthew 17:17 NKJV). We're fighting the faithlessness of a generation molded by secular media and Godless values. If we let it, it will pull us down and wear us out. But we can prevail. That day Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move'… and it will move" (Matthew 17:20-21 NIV).

Observe two more things: (a) "If you have faith." Everybody around you doesn't have to have faith in order for you to see results. (b) You don't have to be a Spiritual giant. Just use your tiny, mustard-seed-size faith and God will move the mountain. Blessings!

Pastor Rusty