Gift Giving

"Gift Giving"

Scripture Reading:
Mark 4:24 (HCSB)  Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured and added to you.

Devotional Reading:

It is true that the measure we use will be added to us as well, but this verse from Mark also hints at another spiritual truth: sometimes we reap more than we sow. The wise man or woman knows that giving is not the occasion for stinginess, because the goodness that we sow in giving often comes up in areas we never dreamed. My son Joshua illustrated this for me at a very young age. When he was a child, Joshua’s best friend was a little guy named Ben. One day Joshua came home from playing with Ben, and Silvia realized he’s left something behind. “Joshua,” she asked him, “where’s your favorite "Thomas" – the little blue one you like so much?” He kind of shrugged and said, “I gave Thomas to Ben.” When she asked him why, his explanation made perfect sense. “Mom, 'thought you were 'posed to give what you like the most.” You see, Joshua loved his friend Ben, but Ben was not a Christian.  Last we heard Ben and his parents were attending a church and growing in the Lord.  We reap more than we sow. When we give our best – even if it’s only a little – God multiplies our gift in ways we could never imagine . . . for our good and for His glory. So give!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

In Need of Tweaking

"In Need of Tweaking"

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 1:21 (HCSB)  She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Devotional Reading:

No, I did not say tweeting...those of you who know me know I do not tweet!  Many years back I was on the local interstate and my car just ceased operation. The red dashboard light that says “HOT” came on, I slowed down, coasted to the side and lifted the hood to a cloud of smoke. Not a good sign. It was a long walk to a garage that towed my car in, and the problem turned out to be a belt that had come loose. They put the belt back on, did a few other tweaks, and before you know it, my car was salvaged: it was restored to the purpose for which it was intended, i.e., for driving. That’s what salvation is. It’s a salvage operation or tweaking. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, our lives are restored to the purpose for which they were made. Some people think salvation is merely a supernatural insurance policy that reserves a place for them in heaven. But when we are saved, we begin to fulfill the purpose for which we were made, right here and now. My car was made to transport me . . . to get me somewhere. When it ceased to function, it had to be salvaged, tweaked . . . saved. It’s easy to become bogged down in theological terms like “salvation,” and “sanctification” and “propitiation.” But Jesus is in the tweaking business, plain and simple. New lives for old. It doesn’t get any clearer – or better – than that, does it?

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Amazing Grace

"Amazing Grace"

Scripture Reading:
John 9:25 (HCSB)  He answered, “Whether or not He’s a sinner, I don’t know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!”

Devotional Reading:

The ambassador from Holland to Siam was once talking to the King of Siam. “You know, King, it gets so cold in my country that water freezes into ice . . .and the ice is so hard that herds of elephants could run across it.” The King of Siam couldn’t imagine such a thing. “Nonsense!” he said. “Until you told me this, I believed you to be honest. Now I know you are a man who is not to be trusted!” You see, what the ambassador told the king was beyond his experience. But the ambassador had seen it, and he knew it to be true. You can’t argue with experience. The man in our scripture had a first-hand experience with Jesus Christ. He was born blind, and when Jesus touched his eyes, he could see! The Pharisees got right in his face and began to question him. “You claim to have been blind since birth?” Well, yes. He did. “And you say that this man gave you sight?” Yes. That’s right. “Do you know that this man is a sinner?” Hmmm. I don’t know about that. “Who is he, then?” Don’t rightly know. “Well, what do you have to say?” Just this: I was blind. And now I see. If you have had an encounter with the living Christ, you have first-hand experience of his power to change a life. No one, no matter how powerful, intelligent or antagonistic, can argue with what He has done for you.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Antiques: Need Restoration

"Antiques: Need Restoration"

Scripture Reading:
John 1:15-16 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, “This was the One of whom I said, ‘The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’”)
Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness,

Devotional Reading:

People who came to hear John the Baptist preach heard the straight truth. John didn’t pull any punches, or dress up his message to please his audience. He was simply a herald, sent to prepare the way. He said, “Make ready for the way of the lord, and make His path straight. Every ravine shall be filled up, every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough roads smooth . . . and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” In other words, someone awesome is coming! Years ago I was visiting Ft. McHenry, Baltimore, and was impressed with its careful preservation and restoration. Every detail was considered. But even at Ft. McHenry, I was surprised to see ground crews meticulously combing the gravel paths that cross the historic settlement, smoothing them and removing any rough stones. When I asked a worker what was going on, he said “next week the emperor of Japan is visiting, and this is the route he will travel. We’re just making sure all the pathways are smooth and straight for the emperor.” There is only one thing we must do to prepare the way for our King, the awesome Son of God: we must repent of our sin. It is repentance that prepares the way for us to receive His fullness, grace upon grace.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Left for Adoption

"Left for Adoption"

Scripture Reading:
Galatians 4:4-5  When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Devotional Reading:

You may have never noticed it, but the classified sections of most big city newspapers have a section called "Adoptions." It does not announce who has been adopted, but who wants to adopt. Couples who do not have children advertise to pregnant women who may be considering giving their child away. Listen to these entries: "California doctor-dad, at-home mom wish to adopt newborn. Will provide love, security and opportunity. Call Steve and Elaine." And another one: "Desire baby to adopt. Outdoorsman dad, stay-at-home mom, one crazy dog, wish to provide love and financial security and a great home to your newborn." Then this one: "Adoption. Joan, a Baltimore elementary art teacher. David, a successful professional, wish to adopt your baby and provide a wonderful life filled with love and stability. Will share photos through the years. Please call." Do these pleas touch your heart the way they touch mine? God is in the adoption business. He has an ad in His paper for people like you and me, and for all who are away from Him, pleasure-seekers included. It goes something like this: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Revelation 3:20-21) It promises not temporary gratification, but lasting joy. It promises a place with Jesus, in whose presence is fullness of joy, and in whose right hand are pleasures forever.  We will be if you let Him, adopted into His Kingdom.  The adoption came from a poor country-girl who gave birth to a baby-king and placed Him in a feeding trough!  Could you imagine the chaos, the world would be in, had Mary answered one of these personal ads and left Jesus in the manger.  So why have you done so today?  Wonder why your life is in chaos?


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Sorriest of Ragamuffins

"Sorriest of Ragamuffins"

Scripture Reading:
Romans 5:8  But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Devotional Reading:

Former alcoholic Brennan Manning writes in his book Ragamuffin Gospel that the only way anyone can be healed of any addiction or compulsive behavior is to admit – up front – to being a ragamuffin. Manning says we must lose all arrogance and ego, and stop pretending to be better than we really are. To illustrate this, he tells the story of a man named Max. Max was a first time attendee at an AA meeting in a small Minnesota town. The other twenty-five or so group members placed Max in the middle of a circle of chairs, and he was introduced to them by group leader Murphy O’Connell. Max was a wealthy small business owner – very polished, very articulate, very confident. Murphy’s question to Max was, “How long, Max, have you been drinking like a pig?” Max was offended and said so. He shared his drinking habits – seven or eight cocktails a day – and insisted his drinking was not a problem. The group members peppered him with questions, and he maintained his veneer – and his pattern of denial. As the questioning went on, Max admitted to hiding liquor, neglecting his children, and lying to his wife. But he still hung on to his pride and managed to keep dignity about him – until Murphy called his bluff by calling Max’s neighborhood bartender to find out what king of drinker Max really was. Afterwards, Max lost his cool. He screamed. Cursed. Shook his fist at Murphy and the rest of the group. Then he fell to the floor in a fit of rage. Murphy rose and the rest of the group followed. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, then he nudged Max’s form on the ground. “You are scum,” he said. “Get out of here. I don’t want to see you again. We don’t have room for liars.” Later on that day Max begged to be reinstated. He got honest, and he got humble. He admitted he was nothing but a ragamuffin, and God did a work in his life. It’s not easy to get honest and humble. But if you can, God can begin to heal even the sorriest ragamuffin.  I am indeed one of the sorriest "ragamuffins" the Lord has ever dealt with!


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Missing the Messiah

"Missing the Messiah"

Scripture Reading:
Mark 14:68  But he denied it: "I don't know or understand what you're talking about!" Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.

Devotional Reading:

Have you seen the cartoon of a dead cow on his back, rigor mortis setting in and feet straight up in the air? The caption reads, “Really, I’m fine.” We’re all experts at denying our problems, aren’t we? We deny compulsive behavior. We deny sexual addiction. We deny anorexia and bulimia. We deny overeating and controlling behavior and drug abuse. In Montana, they have a saying that’s a bit coarse, but gets the point across. “If one person tells you ‘you’re a horse’s tail’,” the saying goes, “forget it. If two people tell you ‘you’re a horse’s tail,’ you’d better take a look in the mirror. But if three people tell you ‘you’re a horse’s tail,’ you’d better buy a saddle.” One form of denial is to change external things to alleviate an internal problem. For example, a person who overeats might lose weight, but start smoking. Or an alcoholic might stop drinking only to manifest the symptoms of a workaholic. Such a person moves from addiction to addiction, refusing to address the root problem. Do you know the way out of denial? It’s quite simple. The way out of denial is pain. Pain breaks through the wall of denial every single time. C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures. God speaks to us in our conscience. God shouts at us in our pain. Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” If there is an area of your life that is out of control, follow the pain and it will lead you to the real root of the problem. Give up denial. Only people who admit problems can find solutions.  Tuesday at Sundown, Hanakkuk began...it will last until sundown next Tuesday.  During this time, the Jews celebrate by opening gifts and speaking of the Messiah, all the while, they missed Him...what a case of DENIAL!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Do You Believe?

"Do You Believe?"

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 3:20  Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to the power that works in you—

Devotional Reading:

That is probably one of the most powerful promises in the word of God. While most people know that scripture, so few actually will accept it as their personal promise given to them from God himself. You may be thinking: “I believe that!” Then the question is, do you believe it enough to confess it and to live with hopeful expectation?  God is able to answer our prayers but He wants to do for us exceedingly above all we can even imagine! He wants to answer us not according to our puny requests, but according to His riches and might.  The Bible tells us He is inclined to answer us with abundance: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over”. “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit”. “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”.


We like to call the Lord “our King” but do we pray large prayers worthy of our King’s greatness? A king is obligated to care for his subjects, and his people honor him by asking largely, believing he has all they need and will provide it abundantly. There is absolutely no way you can call God “king” and then accuse Him of letting one of His subjects continue in need!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Intercessions and Shortcuts

"Intercessions and Shortcuts"

Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 36:47  he said to them, "Take to heart all these words I am giving as a warning to you today, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.  For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."

Devotional Reading:

So much for shortcuts. God’s people embarked on a trip that should have taken just a few days, but forty years later, Israel was still wandering around the desert of Sinai! Why? Because they were disobedient. They incorporated pagan gods into their worship. They made gods of their own invention. They intermarried. They lost their hearts to other things. Each time they sinned, Moses interceded for them and they renewed their covenant with God; but they abandoned their original sense of calling for a kind of lazy syncretism, drifting further and further into disobedience. Instead of Canaan being their destination, Sinai became their home. They lived between two worlds: they were out of Egypt, but not yet in the Promised Land. An entire generation was lost during those wandering years, and many on the journey probably never knew why they were traveling at all. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson likens their course to our generations today. There was a generation whose relationship with God was vital – perhaps like our parents. Then the next generation was only marginally committed – and the next generation was openly rebellious. The further we get from a vital relationship with the living god, the more comfortable we become living between two worlds. We don’t feel tension. We feel ease. Beware of a borrowed or inherited faith in God. The youngest Israelites of the Exodus never knew that Canaan was their destination. God was present in the cloud, the pillar of fire and the manna – but He was not personal. They had unknowingly moved away from His purpose and His plan, until their lives looked very much like the lives of those who never knew Him at all.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

High Voltage Truth

"High Voltage Truth"

Scripture Reading:
John 21:24  This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Devotional Reading:

I don't know about you, but for me, when someone opens their eyes and heart to the Gospel it is a mountain top experience.  Now with that said, every church has its share of tire-kickers. I welcome them and actually look forward to them! The passion of my  Christian life is to introduce others to Jesus Christ, so when folks who are just looking come through the doors of the church, I’m thrilled. But not every tire-kicker is a serious seeker. Some who say they are looking for God are actually not looking for Him, but for what they hope He will do for them. And there’s a difference...indeed a huge chasm. Some are looking for a panacea. They want some area of their life “fixed,” and wonder if God can do it. Others are seeking not God, but God’s power. They have their own agenda securely in place, and would like just a little of God’s “voltage” to power up their plan and put them over the top. These are the folks who usually pass through the church, then move on. They go away disappointed, believing that God was not interested in them or that God cannot be found in this church. But He is not a supernatural errand boy. God Almighty cares deeply for the lost, yet He has established the immutable conditions by which He can be found. They are not easy, but they are simple. God will be found by every serious tire-kicker, every seeker, who confesses his sin, repents of that sin, and receives Jesus Christ into his life. The words God longs to hear are these: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” They are music to His ears.  The question is a simple one:  Is your Goliath too big to handle or is your Goliath too big too miss!  My God is an awesome God who can do all things and can overcome all things...there is nothing He cannot handle!


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

You Are

"You Are"

Scripture Reading:
Romans 3:10  as it is written:  There is no one righteous, not even one

Devotional Reading:

It is relatively easy for us to recognize sin in one another. It is much more difficult to recognize it in ourselves. But “none of us is righteous,” Paul tells us, “not even one.” We tend to think of ourselves as the exception, but when it comes to sin, there are no exceptions. Until we understand the holiness of God, however, it is almost impossible for us to see clearly our own sin. Years ago, the London Times ran an article encouraging its readers to respond to the question, “What is wrong with the world?” I am sure the editor must have read the following reply more than once before its profound truth sunk in: Dear Sir: In response to your question, “What is wrong with the world?” I am. Yours Truly, G.K Chesterton. We are what is wrong with the world! God’s standard is absolutely righteousness, and when we begin to see His holiness, we understand our own impossible shortfall. No matter how skilled we may be at hiding our sins, we cannot make them disappear. Only God is able to save us, and His opinion of us – His assessment of our hearts – is the only one that matters.  Are you looking for that perfect church, well, when you find it, don't join or it will not be the perfect church any longer!


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Jesus the Christ...Do you know Him?

"Jesus the Christ, Do you know Him?"

Scripture Reading:
John 14:10  Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?  The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own.  The Father who lives in Me does His works.

Devotional Reading:

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. But non-Christians the world over generally agree that – if not divine – Jesus was the very best of human beings… He has been praised as a brilliant teacher, a kind healer, a good man. But, as C. S. Lewis said, these are not options He leaves open for us. He cannot be simply a good man. Peter Kreeft, one of the foremost apologists of this century, says there are only five possible answers to the question, “Who is Jesus?” He is either Lord, a liar, a lunatic, a myth or a guru. These are the only logical options. There is no escaping this one fact: Jesus claimed to be God. “I and the Father are one,” He said. If Jesus were a good man, He would not have lied about who He was. If He claimed to be the Son of God – and was not – He would be a liar. He could not be both a liar and a good man. Claims of divinity might be attributed to lunatics, but there was nothing insane in Jesus’ behavior. To say that Jesus was a lunatic would be like saying Mother Teresa was a party animal. Some say Jesus was not a liar or a lunatic, but a myth. He did not make His claims of deity, they argue. They were attributed to Him after His death, along with accounts of all the supernatural things He was said to have done. But manuscript evidence and secular literature deny this premise. Still others argue that Jesus was merely a popular guru or spiritual master (Yoda) whose teachings incorporated pantheism, Hinduism and mysticism. The only problem with this arrangement is that Jesus was a Jew . . . and Judaism is a monotheistic religion. Christianity is an extension of Judaism, not an incorporation of other religions of the day. After all the other arguments are refuted, we are left with one premise. Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. Probably the strongest argument in favor of His deity is that He claimed it for Himself, and died because of it. If He were not the Son of God, why go all the way to the cross? Why not call off the “hoax?” The claims of Christ stand the test of scrutiny. The only good argument against Christianity is Christians. The only valid, honest reason to reject Christ’s claims is because we do not want to be under His moral authority. When Jesus Christ comes into a life, He claims absolute authority over it. That is the true reason most men reject His claims.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

W.E.H.M.R.

"W.E.H.M.R."

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 55:8  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways." [This is] the LORD's declaration.

Devotional Reading:

Most of us want enough wisdom to satisfy the mind, enough ethics or philosophy to satisfy the conscience, enough hedonism or pleasure to satisfy the body, enough materialism to satisfy the pocketbook, and enough religion to satisfy the spirit. Wisdom, ethics, hedonism, materialism, religion – they are contemporary, are they not? There are those today who give themselves to wisdom, those who give themselves to pleasure, and those who give themselves to wealth and power. There are those who give themselves to sex, those who give themselves to political reform, and those who give themselves to spiritual enlightenment. Many in our day attempt to give meaning to life through a general, nebulous, non-threatening belief in God – a God that makes no requirements on the way we live. Consider the appeal of this ad that appeared in a San Diego newspaper: “Most people in my generation see religion as too much of a hassle. We’re finally starting lives of our own – beginning our careers, entering relationships, building our families – and we’re not looking for any more burdens or responsibilities. That’s how I saw religion, until I learned more about Crosspointe Community Church. Here was a religion that gave me room to breathe. They offer services that are relevant to my life. Their philosophy encourages me to explore my inner spirituality. And their belief in activism and social justice inspires me to look outward.” Have you ever heard such an empty, self-centered commentary? The God-as-an-accessory mentality of our modern world must offend Holy God and break His heart. The conventional wisdom of the day can never approach the mind of God. And nothing but the true and living God can satisfy the deep longing in man’s heart.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Making Sense

"Making Sense"

Scripture Reading:
Revelation 22:18-19 I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.  And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book.

Devotional Reading:

How do you explain the “random-ness” of this life under the sun? Solomon had the same options any one of us has in explaining why things are the way they are. These choices could be called “philosophies of life,” and they go by many names, although I will suggest three generic terms for them: chance, choice, and chosen-ness. Which of them is the answer? I believe it is a combination of the last two. Life is chosen – not by fate or a nebulous “higher power,” but by God Himself. Yet in His chosen-ness, there is a personal choice. Suppose, for example, that winter is coming. I could choose, in the middle of winter, to put on a bathing suit and jump into the lake. That would certainly be a choice. Winter is “predetermined,” but I can choose how I respond to winter. Much about our lives has already been determined. Our gifts and abilities, our talents, the families into which we were born – these things were chosen for us by God. But within that chosen-ness, we have choices. We are not free moral agents.  We are free subjects who serve a sovereign king.  We live on the backside of life’s tapestry, trying to make sense of the weaving with one colored strand or another of philosophy. We see the threads of life, but not its grand design. When do we understand? Only when we view the tapestry from the upper side – above the sun. From that perspective, the pattern is nothing less than perfect: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

In My Heart

"In My Heart"

Scripture Reading:
Luke 2:7  Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn.

Devotional Reading:

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head. . .” We sing such warm words about the manger, and have such loving thoughts toward the little baby it held. But we shouldn’t try to keep Him there. He is no longer a baby, but a King. He is not in the manger anymore. He lives in us. Class 202 was full of wealthy children from old-money families. Their teacher loved them, and knew each one well. One day, a new child came to class. He was not like the rest of the children. His clothes were old and mended. He needed a haircut, and he didn’t smell very good. He arrived with a note from the principal, explaining that he was the son of a migrant family of fruit-pickers, admitted as a goodwill gesture in hopes of generating favorable publicity for the school. His name was Johnnie; he would only be in school for a short while. In class, the other children snickered at him, but at recess, Johnnie’s stock went up. He led off the kickball game with a homerun, and followed with a double. When the worst player on the team came to bat, the other children groaned, but Johnnie encouraged him. “Don’t let them bother you, kid. Step up there and kick it – you can do it!” At that moment, Johnnie became more than “the new kid.” He became a leader. It wasn’t long before the whole class gravitated toward Johnnie. At Christmas the teacher received the usual expensive gifts from her students. On the last day before holiday break, Johnnie stayed until everyone else had gone. He came to the teacher’s desk with a polished rock and said, “This is for you. I found it and cleaned it up real nice. And teacher, tomorrow we’re moving on. . . but I’ll miss you.” She never saw Johnnie again but this teacher told her students his story each year at Christmas. Inevitably, one of them will say, “I wonder where Johnnie is today? I bet he’s somewhere real good!” She always says she thinks so, too . . . and then whispers to herself, “He’s in my heart.”

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Seasons Greetings...YUK!

"Seasons Greeting...YUK!"

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 1:21  She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."

Devotional Reading:

There was once a land that was backward. Everything was switched, everything seemed just a little off-kilter. In this place, the children didn’t play football, they played knee-ball. Kids did not go to schools; teachers went to homes. In this unusual place, trees and flowers bloomed in the winter, and lakes froze in the summer. And in this place, a little guy named Jason had a birthday. His grandparents came, but he never saw them. His mother baked a birthday cake, but she gave it to the mailman. All of Jason’s friends gave presents to each other – not to Jason – in honor of Jason’s day. Finally, he’d had all he could stand. Jason got a megaphone, got on his bike, and rode through the main street of town, saying, “Whose birthday is it, anyway? Whose birthday is it, anyway?” Some folks miss the point of Christmas. Oh, decorations are displayed. Parties are attended. Gifts are bought and exchanged. But somehow it never dawns on them that it is someone’s birthday. And that someone is Jesus Christ. How about you? Have you missed Christmas because you’ve missed Jesus Christ? He is God’s gift to you. Jesus Christ the Savior came to forgive us and cleanse us of all our sin. Have you received Him? And if you know whose birthday it is, what gift do you have for Him this Christmas? Does the One who has everything have your heart? Why not give Him that?

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Personal Controversy

"Personal Controversy"

Scripture Reading:
2 Chronicles 25:2  He did what was right in the LORD's sight but not completely.

Devotional Reading:

Partial obedience, half-hearted devotion, diminishes the effectiveness of any Christian’s life, and weakens your witness to the world. Amaziah was a young man when he became king of Israel, and the Bible says he did right in God’s eyes – but not with his whole heart. He was committed . . . but not totally. He was interested . . . but not sold out. Amaziah successfully led the nation of Israel in battle against the Edomites. But Amaziah’s divided loyalty became evident when he brought all the household gods of the Edomites home with him as spoils of war. Following his example (he was king, after all) the people began to worship these other gods, along with Jehovah. Amaziah won the victory in the battlefield, but he lost to the Edomites in his mind and heart. He conquered their army; their little gods conquered his heart. What happened... as enemies they traded vices.  When we do battle with the world, it is amazing what sticks with us.  Beware the habits learned in controversy. When we fight a monster (and sin is a monster), we can become monster-like ourselves. Slowly, imperceptibly, we can assume the religion of our enemy. We can fight in the name of God, then bring home the same “toys” and idols that our enemy loves. Beware the habits learned in controversy!  Friend if you are not sold-out to the Lord Jesus Christ, not born again, not baptized into believer's baptism as the first act of obedience the Lord commands; you may be in your own controversy!


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

All Sufficient

"All Sufficient"

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 12:9  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.

Devotional Reading:

Of this you can be certain; God is sufficient for all your needs. Period.  Do the demands of life seem overwhelming at times?  If so, you must learn not to rely on your own resources, but upon the promises of your Father in Heaven.  God will hold your hand and walk with you and your family if you let Him.  So even if your circumstances are difficult, trust in the Father.  "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning".  When we are suffering, the morning may seem very far away.  It is not.  God promises that He is "near to those who have a broken heart".  When we are troubled we must turn to Him, and we must encourage our friends and family members to do likewise.  If you are discouraged by the inevitable demands of life here on earth, be mindful of this fact:  the loving heart of the Lord is sufficient to meet any challenge...including yours.  Here is some truth from Beth Moore, "Yes, God's grace is always sufficient, and His arms are always open to give it.  But, will our arms be open to receive it?"  The Lord sustains us in our suffering, and sympathizes and empathizes with is in our darkest hour...right before He rescues us!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Morally Challenged

"Morally Challenged"

Scripture Reading:
James 5:16  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.

Devotional Reading:

“Confession is good for the soul,” or so the old saying goes. When we are struggling with an area of insanity in our own lives, there is great freedom and power in being able to tell another human being, “This is where I am. This is my addiction, my problem, my sin.” When a person comes into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, he introduces himself by saying his name and calling himself an alcoholic. I, for example, would not say, “I’m Ben, and I drink a little too much from time to time.” That would not cut it. “I’m Ben, and I’m not sure I need to be here,” wouldn’t do either. For healing to begin, I would need to say the words, “I’m Ben, and I’m an alcoholic.” At some point in the recovery process with AA, each addict selects a sponsor – someone to whom he or she will be accountable and honest about their addictive behavior. Jessica McClure was an eighteen-month-old girl who fell down an abandoned well pipe years back. It took nearly 400 rescuers in her hometown of Midland, Texas, some fifteen hours to pull her from the well, with only a few bumps and bruises. Early in the rescue process, a key decision was made about how to save baby Jessica. First, they sent someone down to be with her while the rescue took place, so she would not be frightened by all the noise and machinery and manpower it would take to save her. Panic, disorientation, anxiety – all could have been life threatening for her, so they sent someone down to get next to her and comfort her. This is what happens when we confess our sins to one another. It’s like having someone else down in the pit with us, providing a face and a form to comfort and listen as we go through the process of recovery. We have the mistaken idea that if we let someone else know we are struggling, somehow our credibility as s Christian will be ruined, and that no one will trust us again or believe in us. But confession to a Christian brother or sister who will pray and encourage is not a damaging process, but a healing one.  So let us not say, "I am Ben and I am morally challenged."  No, let us say, "I am Ben, a sinner, saved by grace!"



Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Take Inventory

"Take Inventory"

Scripture Reading:
Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Devotional Reading:

When I was working at Lockheed Martin, we would have an annual audit by the US Navy.  They wanted to ensure we were compliant with all regulations and practices, but also they wanted to check our inventory and cost cutting measures. Once each year we’d close down the plant to take a full inventory, down to the last washer and bolt . . . and inventory/audit  was no fun. Everything had to be counted: nails, missiles, planes, everything. The work was tedious. Time-consuming. Exacting. I think of this dreaded process every time I hear the word “inventory.” But what about taking an inventory of your life” have you ever gotten still and quiet for the purpose of examining your life, letting God shine His holy light into your very heart? It’s not everyone who can be bold and adventuresome enough, faithful and honest enough, to take a searching and fearless moral inventory of his or her life. A person’s willingness to do so is an indicator of that willingness to grow. If you believe you are ready to blast out of comfortable Christianity, to hear the sound of the trumpet in the morning, to begin to walk in a new kind of life that you’ve never known before, let me encourage you to take inventory. Begin with the classical "seven deadly sins". Evaluate your victories and failures with regard to each, making notes as you go through them thoughtfully and thoroughly. The sins I’m referring to are these: Slothfulness or laziness. Gluttony. Greed. Lust. Envy. Anger. And the deadliest sin of all” Pride. How about it? Are you ready for inventory audit?

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Family Character

"Family Character"

Scripture Reading:
Joshua 24:15  But if it doesn't please you to worship the LORD, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD."

Devotional Reading:

On Monday nights, we have been going through our courageous men, Bible study.  While most of this study is found within the writings of Joshua, there is one verse that can be a great equalizer or perhaps a treasure from the Lord.   If God has blessed you with a close knit, supportive clan, offer a word of thanks to your Creator, because He has given you one of His most precious earthly possessions.  Now, before you begin thinking too much into this, you need to remember if you are married, you have cleaved and sheaved (your family is your husband and kids).  Your obligations, in response to God's gift, is to treat your family in ways that are consistent with His commands.  You live a fast-paced, demanding world, a place where life can be difficult and pressures can be intense.   As those pressures build, you may tend to focus so intently upon your obligations that you lose sight, albeit temporarily, of your spiritual and emotional needs (that's one reason why a regular daily devotional time is so important; it offers a badly-needed dose of perspective). 


Even when the demands of every day life are great, you must never forget that you have been entrusted with a profound responsibility:  the responsibility of contributing to your family's emotional and spiritual well-being.  It's a big job, but with the Lord's help your up to the task.  When you place God squarely in your family's life-when you worship Him, praise Him, trust Him, and love Him-then He will most certainly bless you and yours in ways that you could have scarcely imagined.  So the next time your family life becomes a little stressful, remember this:  That little band of men, women kids, and babies is a precious treasure on temporary loan from the Father above.  And it's your responsibility to praise God for that gift-and to act accordingly.  When it comes to "quality time" and to "quantity time" your family needs both!


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

He said, She said

"He said, She said"

Scripture Reading:
John 21:22  "If I want him to remain until I come," Jesus answered, "what is that to you? As for you, follow Me."

Devotional Reading:

Let's work more with the wheelbarrow from yesterday's devotion.  Our building is on fire. We’re perishing. The Son of God comes to save us, offering us a way off the building, if we will only get in His wheelbarrow. If we get in, He will carry us to safety. If we do not, we will surely die. The question is, why don’t we get in the wheelbarrow? One reason we don’t abandon ourselves totally to God is that we would rather blame others than address our real issues. We play the blame game. It works like this. I have a very hard day at work, and I want nothing more when I get home than to talk to my wife, and receive some affection from her. But when I get home, I don’t say, “Silvia, I’ve had a bad day, and here’s what I need.” Oh no. Instead, I pick a fight. “Did you not get a new light bulb for the bathroom?” I might ask. “No,” she’d say, “I went to the store but I forgot.” Then she might give me a telephone message she’d taken earlier in the day. “Did you get his number so I can call him back?” I’d say. “No,” she’d say, “I thought you had his number.” And we’re off! Instead of quiet talk and affection, we’ve got hostility and harsh tones. All because someone (in this example, me!) could not own his own feelings, and resorted to blaming another instead. Blame and ensuing conflict it promotes do not equal intimacy. Some folks make the mistake of equating emotional intensity with emotional intimacy. They are not the same. In fact, they are not even close. But blame keeps us from being real, with others and with God. I don’t know what your issues are, but I do know that blame will not solve them. In fact, the blame game can keep you and me from ever addressing the real issues we need to face head on. We think we can deflect God’s piercing gaze from our own lives and onto others, hoping to escape conviction, but until we allow His light to shine on our own hearts, lasting change is impossible.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Crazy Like a ...

"Crazy Like a ..."

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 17:20  Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison.  God's terrors are arrayed against me.

Devotional Reading:

Do you know what the definition of insanity is? A person is practically insane who keeps repeating the same behavior and expecting different results. In whatever area of life we continue to do this, we are “as crazy as a sidewinder.” And a sidewinder is crazy. It might run at you . . . or it might run away from you. It might run into the path of a car, in circles, or in an angled line. We may try to hide our particular brand of insanity, but the first step to healing is to admit we are out of control in that area, and need help. The second step is to believe that Almighty God can heal and restore us. And the third step is to abandon our will totally to Him. Imagine you are on the top of a building. There is a terrible fire, and you cannot escape. Then, from out of this burning building, you see a wire stretching from your building to another, and a man with a wheelbarrow walking on that wire toward you. He asks you to get in the wheelbarrow, and allow him to take you to safety. What do you do? You and I are like that man in the burning building. We are trapped in our sin and Jesus Christ has walked the wire of the cross to save us. We know we need to get in. We know we should get in. The question is, will we get in? We cry, along with the father of the young boy possessed, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.” You need an escape from that area of your life in which you are “sidewinder.” Will you get in the wheelbarrow?


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

In A Flat-Spin

"In A Flat-Spin"

Scripture Reading:
Job 6:4  Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison.  God's terrors are arrayed against me.

Devotional Reading:

The twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are deeply rooted in Biblical authority. These steps that have helped millions were conceived when two recovering alcoholics from Akron, Ohio, hit bottom, and began to seek spiritual solutions for their battle. The first step to stop drinking: you have to hit bottom to wake up and realize you are in real trouble. Job 6 is the sound of a man hitting bottom. The book written about a man who on the surface lost everything. It records the suffering, the penalty, the incredible loneliness, and the confession of a wretched man.  I wonder how many today would read his words and say, “This is my song. This is my life?” Healing begins when a man or woman is able to say, “My life is unmanageable. I’m in a flat spin, and I cannot recover on my own power.” But because we are so intent on trying to maintain control and present an untarnished image, this is difficult to do. Instead, many of us wind up trying to exercise control over others, too, using money, anger, helplessness or other forms of dysfunction. Amazingly, we even try to control God. Isn’t it ironic that the way to victory is not to maintain control, but to acknowledge we have lost it . . . or never had it at all?  When you come out of the flat-spin, you realize the answer to suffering, is the answerer:  our Lord Jesus Christ.  If you know Him, He'll get you through it!  If you don't, "would you like to meet Him"?

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20 

Devoted...Are You?

"Devoted...Are You?"

Scripture Reading:
Acts 2:42  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.

Devotional Reading:

Have you ever seen a baby being born?  I have however, witnessed the birth of my son. It is a mysterious, beautiful miracle. If I had to describe it in a word, the word would be "awe".  A newborn is a totally dependent, totally vulnerable being. They have nothing. They need everything. When we are born again, we are not born into spiritual adulthood. We are babies. But we are not meant to stay in the infant stage indefinitely.  In the first moments, days, weeks and even years of new life in Christ, the operative word is vulnerable. The babe in Christ is vulnerable to false teachings, to cults, to old habits and relationships, and to addictions. He or she needs a steady, balanced diet of sound teaching, prayer, fellowship, coaching, and “the breaking of bread.” These items are the “staples” of the Christian life, and we must have them to grow strong. Tom Landry, a coach for almost three decades, said, “A coach is someone who gets men to do what they do not want to do in order to achieve that which they have always wanted to be.” I love that. We may not always want to “do” the spiritual disciplines that are prescribed for our growth, but we do want to grow and become champions for God, with that one goal, every Christian born could live a life that’s out of this world!  Think about how much energy and effort you put into things which are going to fade away, rot, wear out, disappoint you, fail you and let you down; imagine if only you put the same measure of energy into practicing your Christian walk, attending church (not finding excuses), reading your Bible, participating in Bible study, discerning through a Sunday School class.  It is indeed a sad state of affairs we have when the only time people are in church is for a couple hours on Sunday, but everything else in life takes a higher priority and is treated as a greater calling...truthfully, a life in submission to Jesus Christ is the greatest accomplishment you can have on earth!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Storms of Life

"Storms of Life"

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 7:27  The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!"

Devotional Reading:

Storms are a part of life. You needn’t live long to discover that life’s storms can take many forms.  There's an amen to echo tonight's Thanksgiving Worship of Psalm 107. "brother you need an anchor".  Physical pain is a storm. So is mental or emotional distress. And storms hit the houses of good people. In the movie ‘Shadowlands,’ Anthony Hopkins portrayed C.S. Lewis, whose wife died soon after their mid-life marriage. In one scene from the film, a minister tries to give Lewis a “God-knows-best” kind of pat answer, and Lewis explodes. “No!” he shouts. “This is a mess, and that’s all anyone can say. It’s just a mess.” Christians believe in a loving and personal God who cares about His creation, and the Bible teaches that God is all-powerful and able to do anything. Given those two suppositions, it’s no surprise that non-believers balk when Christians suffer. It doesn’t add up. Rabbi Harold Kushner concluded in his book ‘When Bad Things Happen to Good People’ that God cares about our suffering, but is powerless to do anything about it. Eli Wiesel said of the God Kushner described, “If that’s who God is, why doesn’t He resign and let someone more competent take His place?” The answer to this dilemma lies in a thing called free will. God could intervene 100% of the time and rescue us from the fallen-ness of the world and the consequences of our own choices, but to do so would rob us of the free will to love Him. The deeper truth is that he is present in the suffering, and in His sovereignty He is able to make all of it work together for good to those who love Him. No sorrow leaves us where it found us. It drives us from God, or draws us near to Him . . . but that choice is ours.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Spiritual Quest

"Spiritual Quest"

Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 4:29  But from there, you will search for the LORD your God, and you will find [Him] when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.

Devotional Reading:

People believe for all kinds of reasons. Some believe because of the way they were brought up, or because of various experiences they’ve had. Some believe because of the influence of important people in their lives. But some know the value and depth of believing because they went on a relentless search for truth . . . and found it. How should a man conduct a spiritual search? Let me make a few suggestions. First, keep an open mind. The authentic seeker must maintain a healthy balance between solid investigation and a willingness to accept what he finds. Second, pray. A seeker’s prayer might go something like this: “God, I’m not even sure I believe You are listening, but if You are, I want to find You. I really do want to know the truth. If you exist, please show Yourself to me.” Third, be honest about what you’re looking for. Most people who investigate Christianity say, “I’m after spiritual truth.” That’s fine. But others are looking for instant solutions to life-ling problems. Christianity is an eternal solution joined to a life-long process. Finally, be willing to change on the basis of what you discover. Don’t view spiritual faith as an accessory item that could complement your lifestyle. It’s a relationship that will change your life. Seekers need to ask questions. Christianity can stand up to even the most careful scrutiny. If you are a seeker let your quest begin. If you are a believer, encourage seekers. Be an apologist for your faith. That doesn’t mean apologizing for believing . . . it means giving others valid reasons to come to a belief of their own.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Sons of the Father

"Sons of the Father"

Scripture Reading:
1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Devotional Reading:

We had a great Men's study this evening discussing our family of origin and leaving a legacy.  Great time with the men.  How many times have you seen a son who follows in the footsteps of his father? Some take over businesses, the family farm. Some jump on political bandwagons. Others become preachers like their fathers before them.  Imagine a son who becomes a fireman, because his dad was a fireman.  Dad was a Christian and taught his son not just words but actions:  serving in the church, helping those who needed help, making himself vulnerable and available even when he was worn out and tired.  It’s easy to see why the son works just as diligently and conscientiously. He was taught strong work ethics, to honor God and use his talents to serve God. Throughout his life, he also worked alongside his dad in mission projects, helping hurricane victims, and ministering to elderly. Think of the conversations in which the father patiently instructed his sons in the principles of God–perseverance, diligence, patience, and honesty. King David had words of advice for his son, Solomon.


Sometimes we teach our children and pray they follow our instructions. We want them to be polite, to obey the law, to respect authority. But the greatest instructions we can ever give them is to seek God, to honor Him, to depend upon Him, to rely upon Him and believe wholeheartedly. David is instructing Solomon this way in the passage above. So many times David failed in his own relationship with God. He broke commandments. David lived with the consequences of his sins. Yet, God loved David. He forgave David. He restored David because David repented. And David, though he failed in many ways, he still trusted God. He passed on his faith in God to Solomon as he handed over the responsibility of building God’s temple.  As parents, we do not always live up to what we should. We may not always be as patient, as kind, as generous, as sacrificial or obedient as we should be. My dad knows his own flaws. Yet,  as his son, I  will always have a legacy from my father.  I will not always get it right, but I will always be real and genuine.  According to Dr. James Dobson, 8% of children who grow up in a homes where dad does not model the example of Christ and Jesus is not taught by example of Worship and church attendance will go on to have a relationship with Christ.  Do the math, without dad being active in worship (corporate, public and private) 92% of those children will not come to saving faith in Christ Jesus!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Certainty of Death

"Death is Certain"

Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 10:20 by the new and living way that He has inaugurated for us, through the curtain (that is, His flesh)

Devotional Reading:

If God Himself were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My heaven?”, how would you answer? I have used that question for many years to determine someone’s understands of salvation. Some people would say, “Well, that’s a pointless question, because there is no God.” Others would say, “I’m not sure that will ever take place, so your question is irrelevant to me.” Still others would say, “I think God will let me into heaven. Although I’m not perfect, I’m better than a lot of people. I’ve done more good than bad.” And a few say, “I’ve got no chance to get into heaven, except by God’s grace and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I’ve placed my faith in Him, and I’m counting on Him to get me in.” When folks beg the question, and say “I’m not sure,” I press a little further. “Do you think it’s an important question?” I might ask. “Oh, without a doubt,” they’ll usually say. “But I just don’t have any idea how to answer it.” It’s a big question, isn’t it? Where will you spend eternity? Can you think of anything bigger? In comparison with eternity, this life is short. And death, although it is certain, catches all of us by surprise. The Bible clearly teaches that when a man dies, he either goes to Heaven to live forever in the presence of God, or he goes to Hell, separated from God forever. With that in mind, shouldn’t assurance about our eternal destiny be given a high, high priority? I heard Billy Graham say once, “If you are not ready to die, you are not ready to live.” I’ve never forgotten that; it is absolutely true. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are ready. His is the only Name that will gain you admittance to Heaven.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20