judgment

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

But as THE ARK OF THE LORD’S COVENANT entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him. ~ I Chronicles 15:29

GOD’S WORK ~ GOD’S WAY! ~ Let’s review last week. King David wanted to move THE ARK OF THE COVENANT back to Jerusalem. He basically took a survey, and everyone thought it was “the right thing to do.” However, they left GOD out of the process. A man named Uzzah tried to steady THE ARK as it appeared to fall, and he was killed by GOD for touching THE ARK. We ended the sermon possibly thinking GOD was unfair. Go back and watch. 😊

FIRST, we must come to the realization that GOD is GOD, and we are not! When GOD makes a promise, HE never fails! HE promised HE would redeem us in Genesis 3:15, and HE fulfilled HIS promise. HE promised that HIS holiness was represented in THE ARK, and HE told the people exactly how to move it. HE warned them that if they touched it, then they would die. Why do we pick and choose when to believe GOD’S promises? We argue with HIM when we disagree with HIS Promises? We seem to want Santa Claus instead of GOD!

SECOND, in today’s passage (I Chronicles 15:1-29), King David seeks GOD’S approval rather than a human consensus. What a difference that makes! Too often, we, ministers, are more concerned with the opinion of the congregants rather than that of the CREATOR. When King David moved THE ARK ~ GOD’S WAY, everything went well and a HOLY GHOST party broke out. GOD first life!

THIRD, David danced for joy before THE LORD. He was not “showing off.” Michal’s reaction to King David’s worship is a vivid picture of our worship. (v 29 above) In my experience, someone somewhere is always filled with contempt whenever you worship GOD honestly and openly. It is too much for them to handle. Worship anyway! When worshiping GOD, never look out, look around, or look back. Always look up! GOD’S WORK ~ GOD’S WAY! 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

43 In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in THE EYES OF THE LORD. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. ~ I Kings 22:43 NLT

Break Every Chain! I have been working with some of the most inspiring people over the last twelve years who are called “teachers.” These gifted individuals realize that the greatest opportunity before them is to shape the moral character of children who have been chosen to enter their classrooms. I am thrilled to have the privilege to invest is so many lives. We, teachers, are in the unique place of molding and guiding others toward lives of hope, joy, and fulfillment. Last year, I saw one of my previous fourth graders at Publix. He greeted me with his very deep voice by saying, “Do you remember me?” It took a moment, and I told him that it was difficult because he did not have a beard in my class. 😊 He and His family love JESUS! He is definitely one of those success stories! PTL!

Sadly, I have a few other stories which are not going as well. We are also parents who have the much greater responsibility to “train up a child in the way he or she should go…” The promise that follows says, “And, when he or she is old he or she will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) If you take a moment to read the verse at the heading of this post, you will see that “he followed the ways of his father.” Parenting is the greatest responsibility we have. As a teacher, I stand in the gap and point true north to JESUS unashamedly! I wish there were no regrets in my parenting past! I am plagued by my failures and frustrated moments of whining and complaining (especially as a pastor)! You may be experiencing the same feelings…

So, what about the past? We can’t change it. However, we can change the present to mold the future! I am moved by the film, “I Can Only Imagine.” Dennis Quaid portrays Bart’s father as a wretched man. Nevertheless, the change in his life is something only JESUS could have done. Let’s rededicate ourselves and our children’s lives to JESUS! PRAY to Break Every Chain!

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

readyforafreshstart

Bold thoughts from a bruised theologian with a touch of balderdash

GOD’S WORK ~ GOD’S WAY!

Break Every Chain!