Little Things

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June 28, 2013

"Little Things"

Scripture Reading:    

James 2:17 (HCSBO)  In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

You've got to balance faith with works, and good Christianity with good credit. Some things God will do for you; other things, He expects you to do for yourself.  In the wilderness He fed His people manna from heaven, but when they reached The Promised Land, they had to go out and work for it!   Two things determine your future: your purpose and your maturity. Like any good father, God will give you only what He knows you can handle. For example, if you've the faith to pray for, and receive finances, but not the discipline to balance your checkbook or live within your means, your blessings will be withheld. God won't pour new wine into old wine skins.

It's poor stewardship to sport a Rolex, but not be able to pay your child support, or keep the lights on. Furthermore, what you wear isn't the measure of your faith, and what you drive doesn't represent your status before God.  Good stewardship is more than just giving offerings in church; it's having a plan for your family's future and the wisdom to live by it. It was because Joseph had a God-given plan for the future, that he and his family prospered, in spite of a worldwide depression.  Bigger isn't necessarily better, unless it's having a bigger purpose than the one you've got. The question is not how much do you want, but how much do you need, to fulfill God's will? God will only prosper you for two reasons: (1) So that you can help to bring others into His kingdom, and (2) to show the world what it's like to live by His principles.

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Love Drug

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June 27, 2013

"Love is the Drug"

Scripture Reading:    

2 Corinthians 5:14 (HCSBO) For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: if One died for all, then all died.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Anger can fuel hatred in a man's heart until he feels like attacking his enemy.  But love can spark kindness in his heart, so that he lays down his life for his friend.  Selfishness can cause a woman to tighten her grip and hoard her resources.  But love can inspire her to open her hands and give sacrificially.  Love is the purest and most powerful motivator.  It gives courage to a coward, wisdom to a fool.  When love invades your heart, you are empowered to endure deeper pain, willingly pay a greater cost, and run risks to your reputation for the sake of another.  Love causes a soldier to lay down his life for his country, a mother to pray relentlessly for her child, and a gracious God to send His only Son to die for our sins.  Love is that powerful.  Paul the Apostle endured beatings, intense persecution, and hardship throughout his life.  He did it for one reason alone:  Christ's love compelled him.

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Marriage

Pray today for the Lord's Hand over our Supreme Court

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June 26, 2013

"Marriage"

Scripture Reading:    

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (HCSBO) Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Everyone is looking for a soul mate--someone you really click with, a person who enriches your life while you enrich his or hers.  The term has a basis in the very first marriage. The first time God said something was "not good" had to do with Adam being alone. God's ideal is for each MAN and WOMAN to have their spouse as their soul mate, a person of the opposite sex who is a perfect complement. God was the first anesthesiologist and He put Adam to sleep. He was the first surgeon when He removed a rib. He was the first master artist as He formed that rib into a woman, the first matchmaker, and first Father of the bride. He brought Eve to Adam. Adam was thrilled and said "Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman." In the Bible, the word for "body" means soul. Is your spouse your soul mate? It's what God has in mind for your marriage. The first marriage shows it, and in Christ, God gives us the power to experience it in our own marriages.

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Formless mass

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June 25, 2013

"Formless Mass"

Scripture Reading:    

Genesis 1:1-3 (HCSBO) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

In the beginning, God created a formless mass that was void and without life.  However, as characteristic of Him, He saw the end from the beginning.  When He created this earth, the Holy Spirit was brooding…hovering over…WAITING in anticipation for the Father to say, “Let there be…”  When the Word was released, the Holy Spirit established and gave life to that which was ALREADY CREATED.  What is it in our lives that was/is without form and lifeless when the Lord created it?  Whatever it is, rest assured that the Holy Spirit is brooding…hovering over…WAITING in anticipation for the Father to say, “Let there be…”  It is THEN that we will see life and order come to and from this unformed mass.  And it will be good. Dear God, thank You that everything You created is good and has an appointed time.  Help me understand that Your perfect time is not always my time.  Help me understand that even though sometimes we operate on different timetables, You will ALWAYS complete what You started.  Thank You for being so perfect and complete.  In Jesus’ name

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Good News

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June 24, 2013

"Good News"

Scripture Reading:    

Romans 6:23 (HCSBO) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Friday, I gave you the bad news, so today, let me provide you with some Good News:  "The Gift of God is eternal life i Christ Jesus our Lord."  It is a gift, a free gift that cannot be earned nor deserved.  We all remember the excitement of opening gifts as children. around the Christmas tree.  We did not have to pay for those gifts.  We did nothing to earn them.  We simply opened them and received them.  A gift is the opposite of a wage.  We earn and deserve our wages.  We don't earn or deserve a gift.  If we did, it would be a reward and not a git.  How is all this possible, we still have to deal with the bad news?  Jesus made the way possible by dealing with the bad news, Himself.  2000 years ago on a Roman Cross Jesus took the bad news and became sin for us.  He paid the price, so we can finish the verse and enjoy the Good News.  What a difference there is in these two bits of news.  The bad news is that sin is costly, and it has a wage attached to it.  The Good News is that eternal life is free.  It's God's git to us. 

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

bad news

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June 21, 2013

"Bad news"

Scripture Reading:    

Romans 6:23 (HCSBO) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

There is some bad news in that verse:the wages of sin is death."  The Greek word for sin is best understood as "missing the mark."  The word picture describes an archer who shoots his arrow at the target and misses the bull's eye.  We find ourselves here as "all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God.  We have all missed the mark, and the bad news is that the cost or wage is death.  A wage is what we get for doing something.  We work a certain number of hours, and our employer pays us an agreed upon wage.  It is something we have earned, something we deserve.  It is something we have coming to us.  The Bible says, "the wages of sin is death."  It is strange how many men and women sin, thinking it is going to pay dividends of fun and pleasure.  but Satan is a liar.  Sin pays its wage alright, but its wage is death, which is separation from all that is good.  payday someday.  That is bad news.  When we miss the mark, it costs us greatly. 

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 

Galatians 2:20

Walking By Faith

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June 20, 2013

"Walking By Faith"

Scripture Reading:    

2 Corinthians 5:7 (HCSBO) For we walk by faith, not by sight,

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Faith is not about how much you believe in what you believe. Faith is about believing that the One you believe in is believable. In fact, you can have all of the faith in the world that your SUV is going to take off and fly you to Canada cruising at 12,000 feet in the air. But that won’t change the fact that you’re still going to be stuck in traffic somewhere with all four wheels firmly on the ground.  Faith is about believing that the One you believe in is believable.  The way you find out if the one you believe in is believable is by knowing and experiencing Him.  It’s like Ashley would climb up on my back for a piggyback ride. She doesn’t get up there and start asking herself if I can hold her or if I am going to drop her. Instead, Ashley immediately starts asking, “Do you have me?” as she wiggles and adjusts her legs into place.  By asking me, “Do you have me?” she is affirming in her mind that the one she is putting her faith in is faithful. Because if I say, “Yes, I have you,” and she rests up there only to discover that I really do have her, then the next time she climbs on for a piggy-back ride, the questions become fewer.  But until she first climbs up onto my back, she can say all day long that she believes that I can hold her. Saying it a thousand times won’t reduce the hesitation she feels when the offer to get up there is first extended. She will never get to the point where she can experience the full pleasure of my presence until she takes that first climb of faith to discover that I am faithful.  Faith experienced is faith that is real. It is an easy thing to say that you believe. It is an easy thing to feel like you believe. But faith is not situated in our feelings. Faith is situated in our feet. That’s why the Bible calls it “walking by faith” rather than “feeling by faith.”

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Everybody Needs Somebody

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June 19, 2013

"Everybody Needs Somebody"

Scripture Reading:    

Philippians 1:3 (HCSBO) I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Even the Great Apostle Paul needed others. When he was ill he needed Dr. Luke. When he was in prison he needed Titus. For his travel he needed Silas. For his future he needed Timothy.  Just like Dean Martin sung, "everybody loves somebody, sometime."  How important are others? More than you think. A rooster minus a hen equals no baby chicks. Kellogg minus a farmer equals no Cornflakes. Without the nail factory, what good's the hammer factory?  Or the cracker-maker without the cheese-maker?...and you need people too!  The other side of the coin is...somebody needs you too. The young need your experience, and the old your care. The foolish need your wisdom, and the hurting your compassion. Anytime you withhold or withdraw what God's given you, others suffer.  Looking back over my life, I see where I've connected with specific people at every crossroad and milestone. Most of them the world will never know, but to me they were absolutely vital. Each helped me to clear a hurdle, accomplish an objective, or reach a goal. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.  What would a "PBJ" be without the bread?  Who would PB be without Silvia?  She has been my balance for over 25 years; in times of feast and famine.  I LOVE you Silvia.  You indeed are the most wonderful gift the Lord has brought to me.  "to coin a phrase, 'you complete me'.  God is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-sufficient. That's what makes it all the more significant, when He uses people like us. Almost without exception, His favorite plan is a combined effort all of us working for Him, and each of us loving one another in the process.

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Be the Light

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June 18, 2013

"Be the Light"

Scripture Reading:    

Matthew 5:14 (HCSBO) "You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

What does it really mean to be the light?  How are we to be the Light?  The theme runs its course throughout the Bible.  In our layman's terms, it means to be Christ for another.  So many believe they are saved and live a life of existence rather than holiness.  While living a holy life does not mean to take a vow of asceticism and inwardly shun everyone else; on the contrary it means like Jesus said, "to be in the world".  We just have to remember to let our Light...rather His Light shine through us.  So How is that possible?  It is possible when we do not condone, compromise, tolerate, turn a blind eye, ignore etc.  When your friends are walking according to the world, using language that is profane perhaps even blasphemous, you need to speak up and certainly not join in with them.  When your co-workers pop off to go out and have drinks to waste away the day, you need not join them in the effort.  (be ye Holy for I am Holy)...Do you not know your Body is a Temple of the most High.  When your family lives a lifestyle contrary to Scripture through cohabitation, partying, and other sinful activities you as the Light must not look the other way but call a sin a sin.  When you and a bunch of the guys get together and talk about how sexy or hot women are, the fires of lust are ignited and sinful thoughts creep in your mind.  The Apostle Paul tells us vividly that while everything is permissible, everything is not desirable. If your actions cause your brother or sister to sin, Paul says do not do them.  Certainly do not join them in their sinful way and immoral lifestyle.  You must let your Light, let Jesus shine. so they may see Jesus in you.  How often do you turn from the Lord to make friends, co-workers, family, brothers and sisters comfortable?  I can assure that when you are embarrassed of Him, He is embarrassed of you.  When you join in to sinful ways through omission you are just as guilty as omission.  "Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the spoken words of God.   What then? If some did not believe, will their unbelief cancel God's faithfulness?  Absolutely not! God must be true.  Do not grieve the Lord by compromising who  you are in Him.  Call sin what it is and stand on Christ, not emotions.  Is the Lord weeping because you have hidden the Light?

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

too Serious?

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June 17, 2013

"Too Serious?"

Scripture Reading:    

Philippians 2:17 (HCSBO) But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

When you can laugh in spite of your circumstances, it shows that: (1) the world is not the source of your security; (2) temporal situations don't control your joy.

Paul said, "Even if I am being poured out like a drink offering...I am glad and rejoice...so you too should be glad and rejoice with me" . Can you do that?

Listen to these words, "Some Christians can't enjoy a meal because the world is starving, or thank God for their clothes because the world is naked, or smile because the world is sad. They can't spend an evening at home because they feel they ought to be out saving souls, or an hour with an unsaved loved one without feeling guilty that they haven't preached a sermon or manifested a 'sober Christian spirit.' They know nothing of balance, and they're miserable because of it. They have little motivation to bring people to Christ, because that would make others as miserable as they themselves feel. They think The Gospel is 'good news' until you obey it, then it becomes an endless guilt-trip. There are leisure centers, sports centers, diet centers, entertainment centers and guilt centers. The last group is called churches! The endless harping on the string of guilt is part of the reason for all this gloom and uncertainty."  Make sure those words don't describe you!  Give yourself permission to laugh; it'll keep you healthy, and make the experience you talk about a lot more attractive to others.  Where there's JOY there's JESUS; and where's there's JESUS there's JOY.  The most important thing you can do to let your light shine is be a lamp...don't let your attitude dim His radiance!

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Where Do You Turn?

"Happy Flag Day ... She is a grand ole flag"

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June 14, 2013

"Where Do You Turn?"

Scripture Reading:    

Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSBO)  Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

We are such a busy people now, with our careers and courses (self-improvement), families, special events, volunteer work, hobbies, and so on. Even our vacations are hectic. Then suddenly, one day, we are faced with some bad news that almost makes the world stop in its course. Things will never be the same again.  How can we deal with bad news? Sooner or later it comes to everyone. The prophet Hosea said, "Take your words, and turn to the Lord." (Hosea 14:2).  Often people will do this in the midst of the tragedy, but once it has passed, so has their allegiance to the Lord.   Can you imagine a childhood where your parents would take the family to prayer in light of a disaster and seek the Bible instead of complain and murmur and grumble.  Let's face it, there are many miserable people in our churches; they are not happy unless they are grumbling murmuring or just down right miserable.  The wording of their prayers will never varied. Imagine God speaking directly to you in a particular way - thee and thou and canst and wouldst. Then later in life you reach a point with learn behavior and conditioned habits to go right to God for everything.  Why waste time trying to solve anything or worry about something, give it all to God first and then wait patiently in the Lord for His direction.  Here is some counseling advice, "If it was too much to handle and overwhelming yesterday, without the Lord it is still too much today."  Let go -- Let God.  If that doesn't work for you, try "to blessed to be stressed" or more of Him and less of me! God has called himself our Father. He always hears us when we, "take our words, and turn to the Lord."

 

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Life Thoughts

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June 12, 2013

"Life Thoughts"

Scripture Reading:    

Hebrews 11:1-3 (HCSBO) Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.   For by it our ancestors were approved. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Common sense reveals that a child can not have the answers to life. So shall it be with a child born into the kingdom of God. God has the answers, and reveals all the answers to life, as each stage in our spiritual growth are met. It's a marathon, not a sprint. So as an earthly parent is not impatient with the growth of their child, so shall our Heavenly Father be toward those born in, Christ.  So as an earthly parent experience the progress of their child's growth in physical, and learning abilities. So shall our Heavenly Father experience with his children who now walk by faith, and understanding of God's Word.  As a earthly parent is grieved by a lack of development of their child. So shall our Heavenly Father be grieved. Often, life exposes many locked in physical growth only; although their bodies become grown, their spirits and emotions remain limited as a child. There is nothing more silly than to see a grown man wear diapers. But many do spiritually everyday, towards God .

 

Let go and let God .

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great
Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Learning to Pray

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

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Always Aromatic"

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June 12, 2013

"Learning to Pray"

Scripture Reading:    

James 4:2 (HCSBO) You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

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 know how to pray!  George Beverly Shea had a dream one night that he was in Heaven.  As the Lord was showing him around, Bev says they came to a large room filled with seemingly endless compartments, each one bearing a persons name.  he then asked, what the compartments were, and God replied, " These belong to every person who has ever lived and been my servant."  He then asked to see his compartment and God did so.  As they opened it and looked through its contents together, Bev was overwhelmed.  It was full of wonderful things.  Fabulous things.  It was literally a treasure chest of blessings.  "I don't understand, " Bev said.  "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 only you'd have asked".    We do not have because we do not 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 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.

Win or lose, I want to make sure that I make God's name great
Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20