be Empowered

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June 29, 2012

"Be Empowered"

Scripture Reading:
Romans 7:19  (HCSB) For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.

Devotional Reading:

I don’t know about you, but when I became a Christian I said, “This is the easiest thing in the world. What a deal!” I walked down the aisle of our church, said “I believe in Jesus,” was baptized, and hence, my Christian life began. I somehow had the idea that I could live just as I had been living, and when (not if!) I did something wrong, I could ask God to forgive me, and all would be well. If I died prematurely, as a member of God’s family, I would most certainly go right to heaven. I had this Christianity thing licked! But then a Bible study teacher named Dr. John Phillips exploded my ease. He taught the Bible to us straight and clear. He spoke with a Scottish accent, but he was an anointed teacher who made me realize that receiving Christ was easy, but living the Christian life was not. In fact, many times it was downright hard. Finally, as I began to study the word on my own, I came to the conclusion that the Christian life was not hard…it was impossible! I could completely identify with Paul when he said he did what he did not wish to do, and did not do what he wished to do! If Paul struggled, what hope was there for me? Then I discovered I could not live the Christian life under my own power any more than I could get right with God on my own merit. I began to understand the work of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. As He fills my life, He enables me to live and walk in victory. So I came full circle. The Christian life is easy. The Christian life is hard. The Christian life is impossible. The empowered Christian life is exciting…and that power comes from the Holy Spirit Himself.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Never Changing God

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June 28, 2012

"Never-Changing God"

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 1:1  (HCSB) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Devotional Reading:

The debate continues over evolution versus creationism, versus combinations of all sorts of theories in between. Many see this as a simple philosophical conflict; others see it as a matter of science and proclaim that science wins. Does it really matter what we believe about the origin of mankind? Yes, yes it does. And here's why: If God is completely left out of your theory of origins, life is meaningless. If God is not involved, then we are nothing but a bunch of molecules that just magically came together over billions of years. Without God's involvement, ethics and morality become nothing but a loose collection of beliefs enforced by whomever happens to have the most power at the moment.If you leave God out, there is nothing left except each man looking out for number one; the survival of the fittest that says, "I'm going to get all I can while I'm here, because I'm just an accidental mass of molecules accountable to no one. There's nothing more."  But if God put life into motion, then we have a reason for living. We have a purpose for life. Only then does life begin to make sense. Because then we have someone to answer to. And that gives us a healthy appreciation of life itself and a very real reason for existence. Most of all, it is a matter of faith - faith in God or faith in scientific theory. Faith in God - where science explains how He did it, or faith in science that doesn't acknowledge God. I'll put my faith in a never-changing God versus the whims and presuppositions of scientific theory.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Never Changing God

Deep Creek Jamin Java

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

Always Fresh,

Always Aromatic"

A Jolt of Spiritual Caffeine to keep you going!

June 28, 2012

"Never-Changing God"

Scripture Reading:
Genesis 1:1  (HCSB) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Devotional Reading:

The debate continues over evolution versus creationism, versus combinations of all sorts of theories in between. Many see this as a simple philosophical conflict; others see it as a matter of science and proclaim that science wins. Does it really matter what we believe about the origin of mankind? Yes, yes it does. And here's why: If God is completely left out of your theory of origins, life is meaningless. If God is not involved, then we are nothing but a bunch of molecules that just magically came together over billions of years. Without God's involvement, ethics and morality become nothing but a loose collection of beliefs enforced by whomever happens to have the most power at the moment.If you leave God out, there is nothing left except each man looking out for number one; the survival of the fittest that says, "I'm going to get all I can while I'm here, because I'm just an accidental mass of molecules accountable to no one. There's nothing more."  But if God put life into motion, then we have a reason for living. We have a purpose for life. Only then does life begin to make sense. Because then we have someone to answer to. And that gives us a healthy appreciation of life itself and a very real reason for existence. Most of all, it is a matter of faith - faith in God or faith in scientific theory. Faith in God - where science explains how He did it, or faith in science that doesn't acknowledge God. I'll put my faith in a never-changing God versus the whims and presuppositions of scientific theory.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Cleansing Power

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June 27, 2012

"Cleansing Power"

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 6:14  (HCSB) “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.

Devotional Reading:

Have you ever noticed the presence of that little two-letter word in the Lord's prayer? It says "And forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." Did you catch that? The word "as" implies that we cannot be forgiven until we offer that same forgiveness to others. In case we miss the "as," Jesus makes it very clear in the next verse: "But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing". (Matthew 6:15).  Forgiving someone who has treated you poorly, said evil things about you, even broken up your family, is a very difficult thing to do. It takes Godly intervention to truly offer forgiveness to people who have deeply wounded you. But God commands us to do so, and God would never command us to do anything that He wouldn't provide the ability to do. Right now, pray for God to give you the strength to forgive those who have hurt you. Not only will God give you the power to do so, but He will also empower you supernaturally to love them, even though you hate what they did. Remember, bitterness is the poison we swallow, hoping the other person dies. Enjoy the release of this terrible burden by experiencing the cleansing power of forgiveness.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Live with Consequences

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June 26, 2012

"Live with Consequences"

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 51:2-3  (HCSB) Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.  For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.

Devotional Reading:

On February 3rd of 1998, the case of Karla Faye Tucker came to a close as she became only the second woman executed since the Civil War. Tucker was convicted of killing two people in Texas with a pickaxe along with an accomplice. What made the execution even more unusual was that there were thousands of people asking, then Governor George W. Bush, that her sentence be reduced to life in prison. That group included Pope John Paul and Pat Robertson (normally a proponent of the death penalty). This compassion was not because of her sex, but because while she was in prison, she became a devout born-again Christian. This case begs an interesting question. Why do we suffer the punishment for our sins even after God has forgiven us? Did He forgive her or not?  Yes, of course God forgave Karla Faye, just as He forgives anyone who genuinely repents. Jesus died for our sins, but understand that the sacrifice was to get us right with God, not to protect us from earthy consequences. The thief must still face prison, the child will be disciplined by his parents, and the adulterer still faces the risk of losing everything.  Look at the story of David. After being guilty of adultery, abuse of power, murder and coverup, the guilt of his sin clung to him everywhere he went. Then, he confessed his sin to God before a priest and he was instantly forgiven by God. Now, some of you are saying, “Well, that’s completely unfair." Listen. Are you listening? While God instantly forgave David, he did not remove the negative consequences of his sins. For the rest of his life, he found the consequences of his sins through a disillusioned family.  With repentance and confession, God forgives instantly. But He doesn’t remove the consequences of our sin. We have to live with those consequences.  Bear with and bear out those in your life that are in David's shoes...until you walk in them it's easy to assume all is well!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Hollow Inside

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June 25, 2012

"Hollow Inside"

Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 23:7  (HCSB) for it’s like someone calculating inwardly.  "Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Devotional Reading:

Have you heard that the fountain pen is making a comeback? After many years of neglect, fountain pens are once again in vogue. Made of fine materials and carrying a high price tag, they are now part of the well-dressed, executive look. There is something interesting about fountain pens. They may look great, but unless they're full of ink, they're really not very useful. Without the right things on the inside, the outside is useless. The same is true of people. We spend money and time to make the outside attractive. Looking good outside may impress people, but unless there's something inside equally attractive, the outside is merely a covering for ugliness. You see, only God knows what is inside of us. He looks at our heart and our spirit. What does He see in you? Is it ugly, or is it good? The good news is, He offers us a gift, His Son, who will make us beautiful from the inside out. Outward appearance is important, but unless there is something good inside, it's merely a covering for ugliness. Like a "white-washed"tomb! get up and win
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

A Life of Submission

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June 22, 2012

"A Life of Submission"

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 5:25  (HCSB) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her

Devotional Reading:

The media had a field day in 1999, reporting on a new resolution about the family passed by the Southern Baptists at their convention. The statement that stirred up a hornet's nest was, "A wife is to submit graciously to the servant leadership of her husband." Think for a moment about the statement in light of the husband and his call to servant leadership in the home. What does this mean? Servant leadership is not the autocratic, dictatorial leadership found in the world. True servant leadership means to lead like Jesus Christ. Men are to love their wives like Christ loves the church. Christ gave His life for the church. What woman would refuse this type of leadership? Women who are willing to follow Christ are called to submit to their husbands, not because they deserve it (none of us do), but out of submission to Christ.Men, are you willing to do that for your wife? For your children? Don't focus on what you believe your wife should be doing to submit to you; she will always resent that. Instead, first submit to the Lordship of Christ in your own life. Men, you should seek to submit to Christ. Women, you should seek to submit to Christ. You should both trust His Word to create marital harmony.Do you have the courage to trust Christ and His Word when it comes to His plan for your marriage? In the 21st century, that calls for a radical counter-cultural faith. So who are you going to please? Christ or culture?  get up and win
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Coping With Grief

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June 21, 2012

"Coping With Grief"

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 34:18  (HCSB) The Lord is near the brokenhearted;He saves those crushed in spirit.

Devotional Reading:

It isn't a pleasant thought, but at various points in life many of the people we love most are going to die -- parents, spouses, friends, siblings, and sometimes, children. The stats on death are 100%. For everyone who lives, death eventually comes. We don't want to think about it, but it's a reality of life.When it comes, we need to remember the stages of grief: -- shock, numbness, denial, anger, depression, and eventually acceptance. In going through the various stages of grief, hold on to these thoughts:

* It's a process; it can't be rushed, but it doesn't last forever.

* With the help of God, it can be a time of growth. If you don't know God, get to know Him.

* Seek the help of others. We all need the support of others to get through it.

* Remember that the first year is the toughest. Don't try to make major decisions right away; give yourself some time.

* If your loved one was a Christian, you can live with the hope that you can see them again. This comes when you also know Christ.

Grief is tough, but with God's help and the help of others, you can make it.  For the Christian, death is but a shadow... It has no hold over you, no power and most importantly no sting.  Jesus has taken the sting of death and abolished it for you and I.  What an Awesome God!  up, fail and get up and win

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Unbeatable

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June 20, 2012

"Unbeatable"

Scripture Reading:
Philippians 4:13  (HCSB) I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Devotional Reading:

I don’t believe there’s ever been a better, more complete player in the game of basketball beside Michael Jordan.  But some time back, I saw a television commercial that made me appreciate his accomplishments even more. He said, “I’ve taken almost 9,000 shots…and missed. I’ve played in almost 300 games…and lost. My coach and my team have asked me to take the final shot that would have won the game twenty-six times…and I missed. I have failed in life many, many times,” and then he added, “and that’s the reason I’m a success.” I like it! The apostle Paul is a hero of mine. I believe he could have made a similar commercial, perhaps even more dramatic. Can you imagine it? “I’ve been beaten more times than I can count. I’ve been in two shipwrecks. I’ve been run out of town, lowered over a wall in a basket, stoned and left for dead, and whipped within an inch of my life. I’ve been in more jails and dungeons in more towns than almost anybody on the planet…and that’s the reason I’m a success!” Paul was a priest— a Christian under the new covenant—he was a preacher, and he was a pioneer. But he never boasted of those things. Instead, he boasted of the power of Christ as it was displayed in his own weakness! Imagine—boasting in weakness! Paul knew better than to boast about his accomplishments. He would speak of nothing but what Jesus Christ did through him. He knew Jesus did not say, “Without Me you can do very little,” but “Without Me you can do nothing.” Paul was not displaying false humility. He was just stating the facts! All that he had ever done was through the power of Christ alone, and he knew it. A winner is a loser who was willing to fail and get up, fail and get up, fail and get up, fail and get up and win A winner is a loser who was willing to fail and get up, fail and get up, fail and get up and win! get up, fail and get up and win

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Deep Creek Baptist Church Father's Day Message

God's Guidance System

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June 19, 2012

"God's Guidance System"

Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 9:10  (HCSB) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding".

Devotional Reading:

Picture Forty-second Street and Broadway, New York City. It’s peak traffic time. Buses, cars, trucks, taxis, delivery vans…all are zipping by at a dull roar. On the curb is a mother cat with a kitten in her mouth. She is trying to carry her baby across the street at one of the busiest intersections on earth. She starts out. She darts back in. She darts out a little farther and is almost run over. She tries a third time with no success. Finally, an old Irish cop with a heart as big as the city itself sees her dilemma, and takes the situation in hand. Whistle blowing and hand raised, he steps out into the intersection of 42nd and Broadway and stops traffic cold. The mother cat sees her opportunity and scampers across safely. All the power and energy of New York City was held at bay by that policeman’s right hand, but the mother cat never knew it. I wonder how many times in your life and my life the sovereignty of God has prevailed at critical junctures? How many times has He enabled us to move safely through a moment of difficult decision? You see, there is a moral guidance system by which we humans operate, and that system helps us determine the will and the purpose of God. We can sense it, but it is difficult to explain. Would God leave His children with no way to determine His will for their lives? Never. He has given us our own built-in reason, intelligence, giftedness and inclinations. Best of all, He has left us His own “inner voice” that speaks to us when we get still enough, and leads us in the right way. Don’t lean solely on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Deep Creek June 2012 Newsletter

No Other One

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June 15, 2012

"No Other One"

Scripture Reading:
Philippians 2:10  (HCSB) so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth

Devotional Reading:

There’s just something about the name of Jesus. When the disciples healed in the name of Jesus, it was not their faith in healing that restored health; it was their faith in the name of Jesus. They simply claimed the promise Jesus had made to them: “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13) Have you had the experience of asking in someone else’s name for what you could not receive on your name alone? It’s a humbling thing to say, “Mr. So-and-So suggested I call you,” or “Ms. What’s-Her-Name said you would have those tickets for me.” You ask and receive, not because you are worthy, but because you are asking in a name that is more powerful than your own. The name of Jesus has amazing impact. You can go on television and talk about Christ, and no one gets upset. You can run ads that talk about the Messiah or the Lord, and never raise an eyebrow. You can say Redeemer, Savior, Master, Teacher or Friend, but call the name of Jesus, and watch what happens. By naming His name you are drawing a clear line, because there is no other name on earth by which men may be saved. There is power in His name.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20