Make Mistakes

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August 29, 2013

"We All Make Mistakes"

Scripture Reading:    

2 Corinthians 13:11 (HCSBO) Finally my brothers, goodby, aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of good mind, live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Paul's letter written to the church at Corinth, is applicable to all of us today.  Notice the passage says "aim for perfection".  This affirms that we will not achieve perfection.  Aiming is a goal, even if we fall short of perfection, we should still be doing an excellent and admirable job.  There are a lot of "perfectionistic" people in the world today.  Marriages are torn apart by one or the other partner having perfectionistic standards.  Their standards are set so high that no one, even themselves cannot achieve.  Sadly they feel that they are perfect, in reality, they fall short just like all of us.  This self-competence and need to be in control of all circumstances eventually consumes them (and others), until burnout sets in, or the relationship is destroyed.  Striving for perfection is a goal, as God expects excellent servitude, but also know that God understands and is compassionate when you've done your best.  Do your best in all things.  If you let the Lord be in control, rather than ourselves, you will do no wrong! 

                                  

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

What An Attitude

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August 28, 2013

"What An Attitude"

Scripture Reading:    

2 Timothy 4:13 (HCSBO) When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Sitting on death row, with only days left to live and no hope of a reprieve, Paul writes to Timothy and says, "Bring my books." He wants to keep taking in!
"And bring my writing paper." He wants to keep giving out.   What an attitude!  He doesn't ask for an attorney, because real purpose needs no defense. Time will tell the world what you did. And he doesn't ask for better accommodation, for he's "learned to be content"   First, He sends for a book, because he knows that as long as you're alive you must continue to grow, otherwise you're just taking up space. Reading allows you to transcend any situation and explore new worlds. Knowledge keeps your mind sharp and your soul free. Peter says, "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord".  Next, he sends for writing paper, because he wants to keep making a difference. He ignores his circumstances, grabs his pen and continues to be productive. No tears. No gut-wrenching displays of self-pity. "I've still got something else to say, and I want to say it! I'm not done yet!" The art of living, is to keep giving to the end! Even on the cross, with nails piercing His hands and His feet, Jesus continued to minister - and He is our example.

So Paul, teaches us the most important lesson of all; never get out of the game, for even in the last few seconds, a goal is still possible.  Even in the jaws of defeat, through the Spirit of God you may snatch another victory.  Maybe your not even in the game. (perhaps you have taken yourself out)  You can't win if you don't play.  (are you leaving it all on the filed of battle?)  If you don't play, you can't step up to the plate.  Do you realize though, even if you are in your game and in the box up to the plate; if your motives and intentions are selfish, you don't swing because the pitches are bad and you going for personal average; you'll never hit the homerun... take the bat of your shoulder,  swing for the fence and watch what God will do.

"keep your eye on the ball..swing straight and true and follow through,  don't be afraid whatever the call.  Because your 're never alone our coach is there to cheer us on ... its the wind up, here comes that ball, gotta pray and swing... watch it till its going, going it's GONE>>> A Homerun..."
I didn't join God's team to sit on the bench, I'm goin' deep swinging for the fence, I got some friends on base that I gotta get home".  I am a full-time preacher of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ...

                                  

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Falling IS Not Failing

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August 27, 2013

"Falling Is Not Failing"

Scripture Reading:    

Micah 7:8 (HCSBO) Do not rejoice over me, my enemy!  Though I have fallen, I will stand up; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Micah was stating the condition of Israel in this verse. Because of sin and circumstances, Israel was at the bottom. Micah said, "The most upright (were) worst than a thorn hedge." (Micah 7:4) Life, values and respect were in defeat. Psychologically speaking, they were depressed, hopeless and experiencing an emotional breakdown. Sometimes our emotional state sets us apart from others. We feel insecure, inferior and suspicious that others will know how we feel and as a result lower their opinions of us.  Though life can be dark at times, we know that our only light source is Jesus.  While we are down, is when we need to pull ourselves together and reach up.  Be a Peter; he may have walked on water, but when he began to sink his arm went out and he yelled, "Jesus".  Learn from his example and cry to Jesus!  Have courage in moments when life and others bring us down.  Refuse staying in a downward emotional state which is a breeding ground for negative thoughts and actions.  Take your sadness to the Lord, who is the Light, and a refuge in your storm.

                                  

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

The Huddle

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August 26, 2013

"The Huddle"

Scripture Reading:    

1 Corinthians 1:10 (HCSBO) Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

To lead your family effectively, you need to learn how to huddle regularly. The 'huddle' is where a team sets its goals, discusses the division of responsibilities, and tackles the issues that determine whether it wins or loses. Parents, even though you call the shots from overhead, your family must be taught how to accomplish them on the field. So that means working through things and talking through the disagreements and motivating and appreciating each member of the family. Try to listen with an open heart. Give each member of the family a voice, do not disenfranchise anyone because of age.  Don't just hear what your children say, try to understand how they feel. Yes, you're the boss, and yes, you can act like the Gestapo and force your will if you want to, but sooner or later you'll have trouble.  Involve them! Ask God to help you look beyond what you want, to what's best for all of you.  And don't fall under the spell of instant gratification. What looks good to you today could be taking you off the path to a better tomorrow. 
Don't let 'outsiders' into your huddle. Tell them to stay in their own. Too often their opinions are based on hearsay, self-interest or jealousy. Respect the privacy of your team. if you have a gossiper in the huddle you need to rebuke the team member or have the huddle without them.  Build loyalty. Huddle regularly in prayer. When you do that, everybody wins!

                                  

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

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August 23, 2013

"Living Together"

Scripture Reading:    

John 15:12 (HCSBO) "Here is my command. Love each other, just as I have loved you.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

A marriage license is just "a learner's permit." And the first thing you learn, is that there's no such thing as the perfect everything-in-one partner. Even a good relationship is still a work-in-progress. The story of the first marriage is this: God took Eve out of Adam's side. They'd been one before - marriage just made them one again. In a good marriage you find the missing part of yourself. If you want one, start doing these five things:

(1) Know yourself. Others can only know you to the extent you know yourself. When you can disclose the real you - incomplete and vulnerable - your mate will feel secure enough to do the same.

(2) Watch for little irritants. What are they? Hurtful remarks, unspoken compliments, and postponed good intentions.

(3) Be spontaneous. Routine is good, but beware of mindless predictability. A rut is just a grave with both ends kicked out! Keep your relationship fresh!

(4) Be thoughtful. Sometimes we worry more about the feelings of outsiders, than those of our loved ones. Closeness doesn't give you a license to be rude. Always be considerate and polite.

(5) Stop controlling. Manipulation and guilt-tripping don't work. Relationships die when you try to remake somebody. Appreciate your partner for who they are, only help if you're asked, and pray for them regularly. Put these five things to work in your life today, and see what happens.

                                  

 

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Don't Jump

Happy 44th Birthday to my brother Eddie...

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August 22, 2013

"Don't Listen...don't jump"

Scripture Reading:    

Colossians 3:17 (HCSBO) And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Devotion And Meditation:

You know the scene in the movies where the desperate young man crawls out onto the ledge of the building, preparing to end it all. The police are leaning out of a nearby window trying to talk the young man off the ledge, rescue workers are spreading out the nets below in an attempt to catch the young man if he does indeed jump. The media unloads their vans hoping to get the best shot as a crowd begins to gather in the streets.  And then someone in the crowd yells up to the young man, "Jump."  Why would anyone do that? Why would anyone intentionally encourage anyone to hurt themselves? I guess there are lots of reasons -- people feel badly about themselves so they try to build up their own lives by destroying the lives of others. There is an underlying current of despair in our culture, a deep anxiety that, in the end, nothing really matters. So, whether you jump off a building or give your life to feed the hungry -- in the end it's all pretty much the same. If you pay attention, our culture yells "jump" to us all of the time -- in countless ways. Our young people are encouraged to become sexually active before they are married. Why? Well, because everyone is doing it and it's just something that happens -- and everyone knows how destructive this kind of behavior is to our young people. Alcohol companies target college campuses. They want to encourage life long drinking even when we know the alcohol related accidents have killed more Americans than the Vietnam War.  And those are just the obvious choices. I haven't said anything about how our culture worships money -- you can lie, steal, and cheat with open disdain and be celebrated as a tough and ruthless person of business. Can you hear them? Gathering in the street below and yelling "Jump!" This celebration of destruction and evil is the final proof of a culture that has abandoned God. When we as a people can no longer distinguish good from bad, right from wrong, up from down -- we are suffering the ultimate consequence of refusing to worship God. Our punishment is that we end up worshiping anything, aiming our lives toward our final destruction.  When you hear the world, telling you to Jump!  Listen for that still small voice of God.

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Service is Love

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August 21, 2013

"Service is Love"

Scripture Reading:    

John 4:24 (HCSBO) God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Devotion And Meditation:

Pretend with me for a minute that you can't talk.  You can't write, or communicate at all using words.  That being the case, what would your actions say about the Savior?  Would your actions provoke others to think of the Lord at all?  What perception would they get of Him?  Would the way you live your life make people run to the altar to know this same Jesus that you know, or would they see your actions and shun Him?  Would they be confused about the personality of our Lord because you serve Him one day and serve your flesh the next?  What would your actions say about the Lord if you couldn't speak?  Worship is a lifestyle.  It’s not just a song.  It’s not just lifting your hands when the congregation is singing well at church.  It’s not just something you do on Sundays.  Worship is a lifestyle.  It’s how you live your life consistently every minute of every day.  Sometimes the greatest sermons ever preached are the ones that are seen and not heard.  When we worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, our acts of worship should line up with our words of worship.  Are we worshiping Him by the way we live our lives?  On a mission trip, where communication is a barrier, we express the love of Jesus through our actions; by being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ we demonstrate love.  Feeding a child; smiling and playing a simple ball game with them; taking time to hold their hand; embrace them regardless of how they are dressed; washing their feet...Service is love

                                  

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Stay the Course

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August 20, 2013

"Stay the Course"

Scripture Reading:    

James 1:14 (HCSBO) But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 

Devotion And Meditation:

Theodor Seuss Giesel drew cartoons in a 'creature-of-the-month' ad campaign for a popular insecticide called "Flit." He wanted to expand into commercial illustrating, but his advertising contract wouldn't allow it. So he tried his hand at writing children's books - and flopped! After 27 rejections of his first attempt, A Story No One Can Beat, he was ready to quit. One night, on the way home to burn his manuscript, he ran into an old schoolmate who'd just been hired as a children's book editor with Vanguard Press. With a little help, and changing the title to And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street, Theodor's first book finally made it to press. Thus began the career of the best-selling children's author of all time, Doctor Seuss. In addition to winning The Pulitzer Prize in 1984, he was awarded eight honorary degrees. By the time he died, his books had sold over 200 million copies! Before you give up, ask yourself these questions:

(1) Am I convinced it's God's will?
(2) Am I prepared to put in the time and effort?
(3) Am I willing to take the risks involved?
(4) Am I committed to giving God all the glory?
When should you give up? When you're absolutely certain God wants you to head in a new direction - and not a minute sooner. Until then, hold on! Hold fast! Hold out!  The critics, the gossipers, the nay-sayers, and the down right negative people will all chime in against you.  Who knows what unexpected results the second, the tenth or even the twenty-seventh try will bring you!

                                  

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Praise Unending

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August 7, 2013

"Praise Unending"

Scripture Reading:    

Luke 13:13 (HCSBO)  Then He laid His hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

When God straightens you up, make sure you glorify Him - nobody else, just Him! Others may be the instruments He uses, but He alone is the source of your every blessing. Don't allow anybody to guilt-trip you, or hold you hostage to an act of kindness.  When people ask God to use them, He does it by assigning them to minister to others. That's a privilege. They shouldn't look to others for their reward; they should look to God for it.  But be prepared; when you start glorifying God, some folks won't understand you. That's because they've never had your problem. This woman had been bent over for 18 years. Once she was made straight, she couldn't help but give glory to God. You see, your praise is related to your former pain - the greater the pain the greater the praise! Until you've been bound, you'll never know how good it feels to be free! Until you've walked in someone else's shoes, you won't understand why they're dancing in them. Jesus said, "When you've received much, you'll love much".  If your friends won't let you praise God openly, don't change your praise, change your friends! Whether you shout, whisper, fall on your face or run like the wind, God is worthy to be praised! He commands it! He delights in it! He actually dwells in it! So today, praise Him for all He has done for you!                                    

 

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Even Today

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August 6, 2013

"Even Today"

Scripture Reading:    

Galatians 6:10 (HCSBO)  Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

Simply put, let us do good. As we look around our world we see war raging, gas prices rising, crime increasing, overall violence and disregard for life running rampant.  Our God wants us to do good to all as we have opportunity.   What would our world look like if we took the opportunity to do good?  I remember a time when I was growing up in the inner city of Baltimore that looked something like this- The neighborhood folks looked after one another; the schools truly were a safe place where learning did take place; there were no homeless people to speak of because there was always a place for the misplaced. In spite of the times, there are still opportunities, let us do good to all.  Let’s smile a little more,  let’s encourage a little more, let’s pray a little more, let’s think of others before we think of ourselves.  Even today in 2013, there is a place for the misplaced...                                         

 

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20

Being Holy

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August 5, 2013

"Being Holy"

Scripture Reading:    

Hebrews 13:4 (HCSBO)  Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled.

 

Devotion And Meditation:

When two people marry, each spouse becomes "holy" to the other by way of "holy matrimony."  This means that no other person is supposed to enjoy this level of commitment and endearment other than you.  You share physical intimacy, establish a home, and bear your children with this person.  Your heart, your possessions, and your life become bonded with this one individual.  The word holy, actually forms the basis for honor-the very reason why we give respect and high regard to our spouse.  To say your mate should be holy to you doesn't mean that they are perfect.  Holiness means they are set apart for a higher purpose-no longer common or everyday but special and unique.  A person who has become holy to you has a place no one can rival in your heart.  They are sacred to you, a person to be honored, praised, and defended.  That should be a fitting description of your beloved.  Silvia and I have raised our children together, brought them up in the "fear of the Lord", never abandoned our calling to them or one another.  She is more than just the mother of my children, she is my partner, my love, my best friend and my first field of ministry.  Showing her grace and dressing her in holiness is commanded by Scripture.  When individuals attack her they attack the shepherd; when they attack the shepherd they blaspheme the Lord's anointed and give the devil a presence in the Body of believers.

 

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

Pastor Ben J Lahay 
Galatians 2:20