When We Don't We Lose

Deep Creek Jamin Java

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May 31, 2012

"When We Don't We Lose"

Scripture Reading:
James 4:2  (HCSB) You do not have because you do not ask.

Devotional Reading:

Do you know who prayer intimidates the most? Christians! A lost person who wants to be saved can pray a prayer of repentance and forgiveness without giving much thought to form or style. He or she simply cries out to God, and asks for what is needed. Many Christians do not have because they do not ask. They do not know how to pray because they do not pray. I had a dream one night that I was in Heaven. As the Lord was showing me around, we came to a large room filled with seemingly endless compartments, each one bearing a person’s name. I asked what the compartments were, and God replied, “These belong to every person who has ever lived and been my servant.” I asked the Father to show me my own compartment, and God did so. As they opened it we  looked through its contents together, I was overwhelmed. It was full of wonderful things. Fabulous things. It was literally a treasure chest of blessings. “I don’t understand.  These things are fantastic, but are you sure they’re mine? I don’t remember having any of them.” God nodded in agreement. “You didn’t have them. But I would have given them to you if you had only asked.” We do not have because we do not ask. And we do not ask because we do not know how to ask. In other words, we don’t know how to pray. But the secret to prayer is this: we learn to pray by praying. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, He did not give them a step-by-step, how-to list. He said to them, “Pray, then, in this way…”. How do we learn to pray? By praying. Begin today. Begin now. Ask.  Pray in Jesus' name and always pray for the will of the Lord to be accomplished!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Audacity of Hope

Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

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Always Aromatic"

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May 30, 2012

"Audacity of Hope"

Scripture Reading:
Romans 4:18  (HCSB) He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations ...

Devotional Reading:

I’m thankful that hope is so stubborn. If it wasn’t, I think I’d be a goner. Many times my circumstances have tempted me to throw in the towel, but each time I find hope popping to the surface and eventually taking over.  Oh, I’ve tried to resist. I’ve let discouraging thoughts smother the “noble, lovely and praiseworthy.” I’ve listened to the whispers of failure more times than I care to remember. I’ve allowed the voice of disappointment to become louder than a scream. But with the predictability of a Hallmark movie, I find that after all my rants and raves, hope stands there quietly waiting. She penetrates my protests with the undeniable assurance that it’s gonna be okay.  It’s a God thing, of course. Scripture compares hope to an anchor (Hebrews 6:19). It attaches us to what is really real, to what is solid. It causes hearts that would otherwise go adrift to dig in to the truth.  Abraham learned this truth about hope. Although he didn’t start out that way, he arrived at that place which required him to “hope against hope.” He had been given big promises — promises accompanied by big delays. These delays stretched him, pushed him to the edge, and disheartened him.  Proverbs 13:12 reminds us that, “hope deferred makes the heart sick.” But in spite of all the waffling doubts he kept hoping.  The stubborn nature of hope arose every time he looked at the brilliance of the night.  He must have seen God’s promise echoed in the sky. When he walked in the endless desert sand he was reminded that God said, “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” (Genesis 13:16) Whenever he heard his new name, “Abraham,” hope took him back to the time when God told him he would be the “father of many nations”. (Genesis 17:5) Hope bound him so tightly to the word of God that it yielded the indomitable substance we call faith.  It will do the same for us. So go ahead. Give in to the stubbornness of hope.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Count the Cost II

 Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

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May 29, 2012

"Count the Cost"

Scripture Reading:
Daniel 3:17  (HCSB) If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king.

Devotional Reading:

The sergeant has received his orders. “At any cost, take that hill.” He turns to his men and says, “Check your rifles…affix your bayonets. On my command we charge and take the hill!” The men in his platoon have been in the trenches for days. They’ve seen other units try to take the hill and fail. They know the enemy is heavily entrenched and determined to hold their ground. And each man, as he waits for the command from his sergeant, is asking himself one question: “Is this a hill worth it?” Those of you who have never been to war cannot completely understand the anguish of such a moment where life hangs in the balance, but you may ask yourself the same question in different, if less threatening, terms. “Is this principle worth risking my job?” Or, “Is this argument worth the damage it might cause in my marriage?” On what basis do we choose which hills are “worth dying for?” I believe if we have made the right life commitments, the question answers itself when it arises. Our problem is we don’t nail down the big questions at the outset, and so we waver on the smaller ones. The book of Daniel records the story of four young men who were kidnapped and carried into a foreign land. As the prevailing powers in this new country tried to “assimilate” them, they received a shock! These young men had made up their minds not to defile themselves or turn their back on their God, so when the questions of diet and prayer practices came up, their decisions were already made. When we nail down the big choices, the other decisions fall more readily into place.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Obedience, Child's Play

 Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

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May 28, 2012

"Obedience, Child's Play"

Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 15:22 (HCSB) And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Devotional Reading:

Let’s face it… sometimes the Lord requires us to do things that just DON'T appeal to our flesh. Like going to get our teeth pulled or having to purchase a new A/C unit…sometimes we just DON'T WANT to do it! No matter what we feel we have to give up to get in line with what God is telling us to do, here’s a newsflash: God Isn't Moved By Our Sacrifice! He’s moved by our obedience.  Obedience. Now that’s a funny word in the body of Christ. Not only must we conform and humble ourselves in total submission, compliance, and agreement to the mighty will of God, but we must do it joyfully, willingly, and with a cheerful heart. Now, that’s the catch! When was the last time you JOYFULLY woke up in the middle of the night and prayed for your hateful boss? When was the last time you WILLINGLY gave up your aisle seat on the airplane and sat in the middle so another passenger could stretch out his hurting leg? When was the last time you CHEERFULLY invested time you don't SEEM to have into a person who never SEEMS to get better? No matter what the cost, walk humbly in wholehearted obedience to the Lord’s plan for your life. Then, watch how He moves on your behalf.  Lord, help me take my eyes off of the sacrifice, and help me focus wholeheartedly on doing wholeheartedly what You've asked me to do. As I humbly submit the will and desires of my flesh, let my obedience to You be a sweet smelling savor, a pleasing and acceptable offering before You. In Jesus’ name....

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Maryland Marriage Alliance

After 2 months of committing ourselves to get HB 438 on the ballot in November. We connected with hundreds of churches and businesses across the state of Maryland to promote the value of saving traditional marriage in our state. 

We believe the Word of God defines what God’s ideal family is for each home.  God is the designer of the family and He alone will bless our state if we follow His commands.

On Tuesday, May 29, the Maryland Marriage Alliance will submit for approval and certification over 100,000 signatures from the across the state. It is with great thanks and appreciation that we extend to hundreds of churches, businesses, individuals and friends across Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties. 

It is the citizens of Western Maryland who have joined together and desire for the voices of Christians to be heard. America has always believed in democracy as the pivotal purpose of decision making in our society.  We are thankful for the chance for the citizens of our state to voice their opinion and views.  Standing for traditional marriage is part of the heritage of our country, part of the blessing of God upon our state. We want to encourage our registered voters to come to the polls in November and vote to preserve traditional marriage.

We know the media will try and make this a civil rights issue or a discrimination issue. But those who value truth and righteousness know this is an issue of following God’s creative design for the family. We believe that Christians have a responsibility  to promote truth and social policy that improves the strength and health of the family as God designed.

The Maryland Marriage Alliance across the state is excited to deliver certified state approved petitions that will allow the referendum to go in effect on November 6, 2012.

Please encourage your congregation to get registered to vote so our voices can be heard in Maryland.

Boom!

 Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

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May 25, 2012

"Boom!"

Scripture Reading:
John 17:4  (HCSB) I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.

Devotional Reading:

Near the end of his life, a seasoned pastor was speaking in Baltimore, Maryland. He began his message with these words: “As you can tell, I’ve just about finished the course. I hope that when I come to the end, I’m as thorough in the accomplishment of my life’s purpose as three boys I saw in Birmingham, Alabama, many years ago.” Then he told a story about preaching in a Birmingham church and watching three teenage boys acting up in the balcony. It seems a gentleman on the lower floor had fallen asleep with his mouth open and his head back, and these boys spent most of the sermon trying to toss spitballs into this man’s mouth. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off of them,” he said. “They tossed spitball after spitball until I heard a cough and a gurgle, and the man sat up with a start. I knew then they had accomplished their mission! After that they were satisfied, and leaned back and listened to the rest of my sermon.” Mission accomplished. What a thrill to be able to say those words at the end of life. Jesus did. He knew he had accomplished the work set before Him by the Father. Paul said them, too. “I have fought the good fight. I have run the race.” Those who can say “mission accomplished” live every moment of every day with their mission in mind. They are focused. They are single-minded. They are compelled by a higher call. Are you living in such a way that when the end comes, you, too, can say “mission accomplished?”

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Walking the Walk

      Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

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May 24, 2012

"Walking the Walk"

Scripture Reading:
1 Peter 2:21  (HCSB) For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.

Devotional Reading:

Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself. Humility is not thinking of yourself at all. Humility is the one grace that, as soon as you declare you have it, you’ve lost it. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, the King of Kings, was a humble man. “He was a man of no reputation,” it was said. Nothing about His appearance or manner suggested divinity. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that it would please him (and God as well) if the Philippians would become humble men and women, in imitation of Jesus Himself. Modern man is chiefly concerned with working his way up. Up the corporate ladder. Up the office pecking order. Up the social register. Jesus worked his way down. Jesus started at the top. Paul said, “He existed in the form of God.” But He didn’t cling to that position. “He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Not only did He not cling to His top spot, He emptied Himself. He cashed it in. Walked away from it all. We’re stunned when we see people at the top walk away, aren’t we? But Jesus left it all and became not only human in form- -He adopted the role of a servant. Do you see it? He worked His way down. And finally, He died the death of a desperate, wicked criminal. Then God brought Him back to life, and brought Him back home to glory. Jesus emptied Himself…and God exalted Him. Can you imagine the applause in Heaven over Jesus’ return? Humility is a key to true joy. Jesus didn’t just say it…He proved it.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Are We Really Free?

Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

A Jolt of Spiritual Caffeine to keep you going!

May 23, 2012

"Are We Really Free?"

Scripture Reading:
John 8:36  (HCSB) Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

Devotional Reading:

When I was growing up, we frequently went to various parks around our town where we could play pick-up basketball. One evening we went to an indoor court  at Catonsville Elementary.  On one end of the court it was a free-for-all. I think the game was basketball, but I couldn’t be sure. It looked like a combination of football, rugby and wrestling. No rules. No regulations. No whistles. No fouls. And from the looks of it, no fun.  Street ball.  On the other end of the court, a smooth, sharp game was in progress. These guys were players. They handled the ball like you would not believe. The knew what a foul was, and even called a few on themselves! With the talent and discipline they exhibited, these guys were going somewhere…and their high-flying, above-the-rim kind of game was a thrill to watch. If you were a real player, the second game would be the game for you. The game with no rules and no skill would only frustrate (and might kill) you. But at the other end of the court, you could shine. The game with no rules would inhibit your freedom to excel, but the disciplined game would allow you all the freedom you need to play well. The truest freedom you and I can experience is the freedom that most closely conforms with our God-breathed, God-designed nature. He knows best how we are to function, and His parameters give us the freedom to really live.  So yes, we are truly free, but only when we have the discipline enough to walk in obedience to the Lord!  Then watch out for the blessings God will rain down upon you will be nothing short of "Amazing"


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Deep Creek Baptist Pulpit

http://dcbcpodcast.podbean.com/2012/05/22/light-by-the-lake-podcast-may-20-2012/

Limited Forgiveness

    Deep Creek Jamin Java

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"God's Truth.......

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

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May 22, 2012

"Limited Forgiveness"

Scripture Reading:
Luke 17:3-4  (HCSB) Be on your guard. If your brother sins,  rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Devotional Reading:

We had a brief conversation on Saturday night about the Isle of Pelicans is its official name…but you would probably know it as Alcatraz.  At our deacon gathering, we spoke about taking the boat to the island and how interesting it is, but do you know for thirty years—from 1933 to 1963—it housed the very toughest of federal prisoners. During that time, 26 tried to escape…but only five succeeded. Alcatraz, surrounded by the chilly waters of the San Francisco Bay, was considered the finest maximum security prison of its time. But there is a prison more secure than Alcatraz, or any other prison on the face of the earth. It is the prison of the human heart that refuses to forgive.  When you choose not to forgive, the anger and bitterness eats at you until it overcomes you--at this point your new identity is not Christ-like, but rather demonic.  When a spouse cannot find forgiveness, the marriage is doomed.  Although, we like forgiveness most when we are in a position to receive it. When we’ve sinned, we want to hear about God’s amazing grace. (Incidentally, I’ve heard the hymn Amazing Grace sung at the funerals of some of the meanest scoundrels who ever lived!) It is when you and I are in a position to extend forgiveness that we become quite a bit more stingy. But did you know that we are forgiven in the exact same proportion with which we forgive others? That’s right. To the degree that I forgive, the forgiveness of God is made available to me. Peter wanted to make sure he understood forgiveness when he asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sinned against him…and he thought seven was a generous estimate. Imagine his shock when Jesus multiplied that number by 70! What He was really saying was that we should only limit our forgiveness to others if we want God to limit the forgiveness He offers us. Simply put, if unlimited forgiveness is what we desire, unlimited forgiveness is what we should be willing to give.  Don't be like the unrepented unforgiving spouse who allows bitterness, anger and hate to consume them...seek first the kingdom of God!


Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20