Where Are You Rooted?

You will absorb what you are rooted in, and what you absorb will change you.

 

The Most Rejected Man in History

Our society is plagued with rejection. We have a Heavenly Father who can identify with us.

Looking Back

You will never move forward, so long as you keep looking back.

 

Somehow, Press On! (Philippians 3:10-14)

“That Just Happened!”

There are times shortly after God does something amazing in our lives that something else happens that discourages us. During these moments, we should reflect on all that God has done and remind ourselves, “That Just Happened!”

No Regrets

    I’ve said it before, and looking back at it all, I still can honestly say, I have no regrets... None whatsoever. Now that is not to say that I have never done anything wrong or never done something that I wish never happened. Don’t put that on me. I never said that I’ve never sinned, I said that I have no regrets... There’s a difference. Sinning was my action. Regret is my feelings or my response to my action. There is so much in life that effects us only to the extent that we allow it to effect us by our response.Perhaps it would be helpul to take a moment and reread that last sentence again...

    I should also point out there is a difference between remorse and regret. There is a difference between feeling sorrow over something you have done and regretting it. There are judges who have the difficult duty of deciding that a child should be separated and taken away from their neglectful and maybe even abusive parents. I’m sure they feel sorrow over having to carry out such a judgment but in light of the health and safety of the child, I doubt they regret it. 

    The same could be said (kind of) when it comes to sin. I indeed do feel sorrow and remorse when I recall the sins I have committed and the negative effect those actions have had on others, especially those who were under my leadership. That being said, I don’t regret them. The reason being, there simply is no point in regretting them. At the end of the day, there is nothing I can do about my past. Even if somehow I had the ability to go back in time and stop myself from making a mistake there would be no point. The Bible says that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” 

    So even if I could change the bad things I’ve done, the fact that I am a natural born sinner means I probably would have messed up another way. I can not pardon myself, I can not redeem myself, and I can not save myself. Only Jesus can do that. So you see there really is no point in having regrets when it comes to the sins of my past. The blood of Jesus has taken care of my past, the blood of Jesus is taking care of my present, and the blood of Jesus will take care of my future. #ItIsFinished

Insiders and Outsiders

““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  -Matthew 7:13-14

“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” -John 10:16

Have you been to a mall recently? They’re practically empty these days. Except for that time when Build a Bear offered a “pay your age” sale... My wife and I went to a mall awhile back just before most of the department stores open. We went into Belks to browse around. I noticed that all of the entrances were closed off by gates except for the one we entered through. I remember passing by these gated entrances and seeing people on the other side awkwardly staring at me from behind the gate wanting to get in.

Almost as though they couldn’t figure out how we got in. To the customers on the outside looking in, it appeared as though Belks was closed. Closed to everyone that is, except us and the few customers that came in through the one gate that was opened. I am ashamed to admit, instead of informing these puzzled seekers where the open entrance was, I just kept walking around minding my own business.

We Christians do the same thing when it comes to the eternal life we have through Jesus Christ. We are free. We are “in” with God. People on the outside are staring at us, wondering how we got in, and we avoid them when we know how to get in. If we are honest with ourselves, sometimes we treat Heaven as though it is closed off to people except for those who belong to the “in crowd”. That is unacceptable for a people who have been commanded by Christ to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Revelation chapter seven reveals that one day Heaven will be populated by multitudes of the redeemed from “every nation, tribe, people, and language”. That means the exclusion of any group of people from hearing the Gospel violates Christ’s command.

There are two sides to this story however. What is not mentioned in my story is, Belks was actually open for business. Those on the outside looking in just didn’t want to go in through the right door. Heaven isn’t closed off. The curtain has been torn, the door has been opened. We just have to enter through the right door; Jesus Christ. Our society wants Heaven to be like Burger King; “Have it Your Way.” Eternal Life isn’t have it your way, it’s “Have thine own way.”

There are not many diverse roads to salvation each catered to the individual “seeker”. There is one road, one gate, one way to Eternal Life. His name is Jesus Christ. He is not an alternative, He is the answer. All the blessings of the Kingdom of God are ours to enjoy, but we must enter through the one door that has been opened to us. That door was opened by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

When it comes to Eternal Life, both those on the outside and on the inside are wrong. Those on the outside should realize that the gates to salvation and eternal life are indeed open, but they must enter through the right door; Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Those on the “inside” should realize that we should engage those on the outside and show them the way “in”.

The Walk Out

Teenagers do crazy things all the time that make us all shake our heads. I know I sure did. I remember the time, I felt it was important for me to stand up during lunch in the middle of our High School cafeteria and preach the Gospel to the students there. That action of course, led to me being dragged out of the lunch room by the school resource officer and principle... Anyways, back to my point. Like I said, students do things all the time that they feel is important but leave us “adults” shaking out heads. But I’ve never seen the actions of students cause so much anger and hostility like the Walk Out did on March 14^th. Perhaps people feel that what students did that day was hang out America’s dirty laundry for everyone to see and people don’t like it.

Their actions whether you agree with them or not, exposed a very real and troubling reality in our nation. There have been 18 school shootings in our nation since January 1. That’s embarrassing and no one wants to talk about it. This is America. We have been told that this is supposedly the greatest country in the world. I have to agree. That does raise the question however, if this is the greatest nation on the planet to live in, why then do we also have one of the highest number of school shootings?

It really does show up as a bad mark on our legacy. What students did on March 14^th was (at least from my perspective) cast a light on a very real problem in our nation. Wherever you stand on guns, kids dying almost every week in schools is an issue that needs to addressed and fixed. Kind of like domestic violence and the drug epidemic in Tyrrell County. It’s like our dirty laundry that no one wants to talk about but it needs to be addressed and fixed. Some people want to assume this is Mayberry when for so many people living here, it’s not.

We need people like our passionate students to cast a light on the issues in our community and do something about it. I’m sure everyone has an opinion on how that should be done, just as they do with gun violence. Me personally, when it comes to the violence in schools and these issues in our community, I believe the best solution is to get back to praying together as a community, preaching the Gospel with passion, and exhorting one another to study and live the Word of God.

I can only imagine the shift that would take place in the spiritual realm if churches and civic leaders in Tyrrell County set aside just one night a month to come together to pray for our community and nation. There is real spiritual warfare taking place in Tyrrell County because Satan knows that God has put great people here with powerful resources and amazing potential to make a difference in our nation and even world. All of us coming together to pray would go a long way to destroy the enemy’s plans.

It has been said, “This is not a _____ issue, this is a heart issue.” The only thing that will change people’s hearts is the Gospel of Jesus Christ reinforced by a life given to modeling the Word of God. It is time for “playing church” to stop. We need to preach and teach for life change and community transformation. This above any action, petition, protest, or even new law, is our only hope.

Making Sin Peronal

I would not have known what sin was, had it not been for the law. –Romans 7:7

            Many people have driven back and forth through this area on Hwy 64 speeding under the assumption that there is little risk of them getting caught, only to find themselves staring at blue lights flashing in their rear view mirror. Whether we admit it or not, each and every one of us have been guilty of assuming that our speed is no big deal, especially on a four lane highway.

            We mistakenly assume that since everyone else around us is driving fifteen mph over the speed limit, our transgression of the law is no big deal. That is of course, until we see blue lights flashing in our rear view mirror. All of a sudden we really could care less if everyone else is speeding too. We have become frightfully aware that we are guilty not anyone else. Our transgression of the law is no longer what everyone else is doing, it has become personal.

            It is the same when we apply God’s Law (The Ten Commandments) to our lives. At first we think, who hasn’t told a fib here and there, looked at someone lustfully, had sticky fingers, taken the Lord’s name in vain on occasion in a weak moment? Everybody does it, and so long as we aren’t hurting anybody, what’s the big deal? Then God’s Law enters the rear view mirror of our conscience. That “little fib” becomes a lie or false witness. Our sticky fingers make us a thief. Our lust becomes adultery. Taking God’s name in vain becomes blasphemy.

            All of a sudden we realize the truth that we have become guilty of transgressing God’s Holy Law by which He will hold us accountable to on Judgment Day. We tremble as we remember how God in His righteous justice is so holy that He sees lust as adultery and hatred as murder in our hearts. He has promised to not only bring justice to the murderers, rapists, and terrorists, but also to thieves, blasphemers, and even liars and hypocrites. Our behavior is no longer “what everyone else is doing”, it has become personal sin against a holy God. It seems like every time we turn around, we lose someone tragically to death. What if you’re next? Are you ready?

            Don’t assume that your sin is innocent, of no harm, and no different than anyone else’s. When death finally rips your soul from your body and you stand before God with all your actions, words, and even thoughts exposed, there will be nowhere to run and no one to blame. When the light of God’s Law reveals and casts into the open even the things you thought you did in secret, you will have to answer for your personal transgressions of God’s Law, not anyone else’s. You personally are guilty.

            When that officer of that law hands you that ticket with that hefty fine, there is a moment of finality as you sit on the side of the road. Can you imagine your reaction if before the officer drove away, a stranger pulled beside the both of you and paid your fine for you? Now you’re free to go! You would be overjoyed and grateful. That is exactly what Jesus Christ did for you when He died on the cross nearly 2,000 years ago.

            He took the punishment for your transgressions, the penalty for your crimes, He paid your fine. Now, if you repent (turn from) of your sins and put your faith in Jesus as your Savior, God will forgive your sins, commute your sentence, and dismiss your case. You will be pardoned and granted Eternal Life. You will not face judgment when you die, but an eternity in Heaven. Your sin is your own, it’s personal. Repent and trust the Savior today while your heart still beats.

It's God's Will?

Unfortunately sometimes a visit to the doctor can bring about some bad news. What started out as a minor problem ends up being a frightening diagnosis. At moments like these, it is not uncommon for us to try and find comfort by telling ourselves, “It’s just God’s will”. Not it is not... Ever. It is not God’s will for anyone to get sick. Sickness never has been, is not now, and never will be part of God’s plan for your life.

Can God teach us things through sickness? Yes. Can God use sickness to bring us closer to Christ, to mend broken family relationships, etc.? Definitely. That however, doesn’t mean that the sickness was part of God’s plan. I have made more than a few bad choices in my life. Each time, God used my failure to teach me, build up my character, and draw me closer to Him. That doesn’t mean it was God’s will for me to sin. It certainly doesn’t mean that falling into sin was part of God’s plan for my life. It means that God meant what He said in Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28

It’s the same with sickness. God may choose to work in your sickness to bring glory to Himself, to draw you closer to Him, to draw your family closer together, but rest assured, you getting sick, was never God’s plan for your life. So with that being the case, where then does sickness come from? There are a lot of ways to answer that. The simplest answer however is, sin. Specifically, the sin of Adam and Eve. When Adam and Even sinned in the Garden of Eden sickness, disease, cancer, and all other kinds of infirmity entered the world. Sickness, cancer, and disease are all part of the curse which the world is now under due to Adam’s sin. Acts 10:38 tells us that those who are sick are under the oppression of the devil.

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. –Acts 8:38

When Jesus died on the cross, He defeated Satan’s works including sickness. One way you can know that healing can be yours today is by resting in the knowledge that this infirmity you are currently going through, is not God’s will for your life. This truth can be a turning point for you. Understanding and embracing this truth can be the starting point for you receiving your healing. Once you understand that God doesn’t want you to be sick, and that Christ came to defeat Satan’s plan for sickness, it positions you to receive from God your healing purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Not "Ready"?

          A few weeks ago, I was speaking to a gentleman about our church. I invited him to be my guest next Sunday to which he replied, “I’ll come when I get ready.” Get ready? Ready for what? As it turns out, this guy along with several people feel that they are not yet worthy enough to enter God’s House on Sunday. Although if truth be told, the church house is not really God’s House. It’s a building. That’s all it ever has been, that’s all it ever will be. We, are the house of God.

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’-Acts 7:48-50
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? -1^st Corinthians 3:16

          There are several people who feel that they need to “get their lives together first” before they ever come to church. That means different things to different people. Some people feel they have sin in their lives they must first get rid of before enjoying a Sunday morning service. Some people feel that they need to work on their own personal issues themselves before worshiping with a congregation on the Lord’s Day. There are others, who just for whatever reason, don’t feel “ready”.

          If you share this sentiment, allow me to lovingly say to you, that you got things backwards. Waiting to “get your life together” before going to church is like waiting for the fever to break before going to the doctor. Common sense tells you that going to the doctor and getting some antibiotics is what will help the fever and the infection that is causing it, go away. That same common sense should tell you that it is by going to church and seeing the “Great Physician”, that you get your life together. I’ll let you in on a little secret; nowhere in the Bible does it say God expects you to have it all together anyways. He wants you to depend on Him, always. Not on your own understanding or ability.

          If you have got sin in your life, church is where you learn how to truly repent, leave that destructive lifestyle behind, and find true freedom. Something powerful happens when we gather together to worship. The presence of God manifests in a special way. Whatever personal issues you may be working through will be brought to healing in His presence. Not only that, our brothers and sisters in Christ can help us work through these issues.

          Now, I understand that there is another side to this conversation. Perhaps as you are reading this you are thinking to yourself, “It’s because of judgmental church people, that I feel like I have to get my life together first before coming to church!” I am sad to admit that some people have been made to feel as though they HAVE to get their lives together before darkening the door of a church. If that describes your experience with church, I apologize. I know that had to be hurtful and even damaging to your faith.

          To expect anyone to clean themselves up and get their lives together before coming to church is a complete contradiction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At Resurrection River, we will welcome you as you are. WE WANT TO HELP YOU BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST, NOT MORE LIKE US. If we had to have it all together, put down every sin, have already worked through all personal issues before coming to church, then I myself should not go to church. I have my share of all of those.


          Church is a place full of people in desperate need of a savior, whether those people admit they need a savior or not. Church is where you will or at least should, encounter grace that doesn’t say “You are bad because ______!”, but instead declares, “Jesus paid it all…” I understand this religious and judgmental spirit has caused you to feel like you have to get your life together, to “get ready” before coming to church. That’s backwards. You don’t have to have it “all together”. You just have to surrender to the Savior. You’re already “ready”, just as you are.

Reinvent Yourself

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” –Isaiah 43:18-19

          I remember one of my favorite things to do when I was a child was to go out with my family to rent a couple of movies from Blockbuster. It was great except for the fact that we had to return the movies within a few days. It was like a library but for movies.

          Nobody talks about Blockbuster today. Do you know why? Because Blockbuster did not anticipate the changes in culture and reinvent themselves to keep up. Netflix came along giving customers the ability to rent movies and have them delivered to their home. RedBox came along giving customers the convenience of renting movies from a kiosk at the local gas station, grocery story, or pharmacy. Blockbuster had become obsolete and went bankrupt.

          We tend to think that because the way we did things in the past means they will work just fine in the season of life we find ourselves in today. That is not necessarily true. That was then, this is now. What got you to where you are, won’t necessarily get you to the next step. Life is always changing, and likewise we have to make changes so that we are equipped and ready for whatever season of life we find ourselves in. Let me give you an example from scripture.

          During their journey to the Promise Land, the Israelites found food by eating Manna off the desert floor. When they entered the Promise Land however, the Manna stopped and the Israelites were to instead of bending on their knees to pick Manna off the floor, would now stand on their feet and reach up to pick fruit from the trees of the land. The Israelites were entering into a new season of life, and would therefore need to reinvent the way they did life.

          Perhaps you find yourself in a new season of life. Don’t rely on the methods that prevailed in the glory days or on what got you out of the last situation you found yourself in. You will have to learn how to change and do things differently in this new season you’re about to enter.

          The world is different, society is different, culture is different, the economy is different, technology is different, YOU are different. What got you to where you are today may not necessarily get you to tomorrow. What set you apart and caused you to succeed in the workplace in the past may not help you today. Things have changed.

          How you managed your money years ago, may not get you the same results today. The economy has changed. Study habits that helped you excel may not make any difference today. Education is changing. The way you formed meaningful relationships last time may not connect with people this time. Social media has changed the way people relate and connect. The way you have been doing things won’t work forever. If you don’t believe me, just ask Blockbuster…

Take Another Lap

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” –Joshua 6:2-5

          You have to appreciate the faith of Joshua during this moment of his life. Imagine him standing outside the mighty walls of Jericho with the army of Israel standing behind him. Surely the task of bringing these walls down must have been somewhat intimidating at first. But Joshua pressed on.

          Joshua and the Israelites marched around those walls once a day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they marched around it six times. It wasn’t until they lifted up a shout on the seventh lap on the seventh day that the walls came tumbling down. Imagine what must have been going through Joshua’s head towards the end of that sixth lap on that seventh day.

          He and the army behind him had been around that wall almost a dozen times, yet still there was no sign of breakthrough. I wonder if Joshua’s faith was tested. I like to imagine that as Joshua began that seventh lap, he stirred up his faith more than ever before. I imagine that during that moment when it seemed like there was no breakthrough, no change, Joshua remembered all he had seen God do while Moses was still alive.

          I imagine that he remembered how Moses stood up to an unyielding hard hearted Pharaoh, and God brought him to his knees setting the Israelites free after 400 years of slavery. I imagine Joshua remembered how when the Israelites were panicking in the desert over not having any food, how God made manna appear on the desert floor. I imagine Joshua remembered how when the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the fast approaching armies of Pharaoh, he saw God Himself fight for the Israelites by splitting the Red Sea giving the Israelites dry ground to cross over to safety.

          I imagine that as Joshua remembered all these mighty acts of God, his faith was stirred to believe that God could do the impossible just one more time, and that’s when he decided to take another lap. And on that last lap, he told the Israelites to lift up a shout and the walls of Jericho finally fell.

          To Joshua and the Israelites the Walls of Jericho represented the barrier that stood in between them and the Promise Land, their destiny. Perhaps today you find yourself staring at a wall that separates you from the calling God has put on your life. If you find yourself around this “wall” in your life again, don’t get discouraged. Take another lap. You are right on the edge of your breakthrough. Remember how God moved mightily in the past. If He did it before, He can do it again. Stir up your faith just like Joshua did, and take another lap. This wall is about to fall.

Love No Dad Can Resist

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! –Matthew 7:11

          I have to be completely honest, as much as I LOVE my two sons, sometimes I just can’t wait to rush them off to bed. The other night, I was tucking my oldest son who’s six, into bed. I remember I was tired, stressed, and just wanted to go back into the living room to relax. So I hurried him into the bed, rushed him through his prayers, and even began walking toward his bedroom door by the time he started saying, “Amen.”

          As I began walking out his door, I heard his sweet voice call out to me and say, “Dad…” I turned to him to see his arms stretched out to me. At that moment, his face lit up and he said, “Hug!” At that moment, any desire to just get out of there and chill faded as my heart melted and not only did I go give him the biggest hug ever, I jumped on top his bed to squeeze the life out of him!

          There is just something about a child with their arms stretched out that is irresistible to a parent. Even when a child who is not our own reaches out for love we can’t resist them! Jesus says something amazing in Matthew 7:11. He says that even though we are evil by nature, we still have enough godly love in us that makes it impossible to resist our children when they need us. If that is true, how much more will God reach out to us when we need Him?

            Just as no loving dad can resist his child reaching out to him, God your Heavenly Father cannot resist you reaching out to Him. If you, with all your flaws, imperfections, and your own selfish ways, cannot find it within yourself to resist the outstretched arms of a little child, what do you think the God who is love wants to do when He sees your arms stretched out to Him? If you even with your own tendency to love people conditionally, can’t resist a child who wants you to pick her up and hold her, how do you think the God who loves you UNconditionally feels when you reach out to Him?

          There are so many in our society that needs that “Daddy Love.” There are people burdened by guilt that need just one Daddy embrace to wash away the stain. Some people battle depression. One hug from the Father will fill them with joy unspeakable. Some go through life full of fear and worry. Once Daddy picks them up, they will know that everything is going to be alright. Some people beat themselves up because they “broke it”. Daddy is here to fix it when we bring our brokenness to Him. Others, live with uncertainty about the future. When Daddy speaks, it will fill them with confidence! Daddy God has what you need, just reach out to Him! When you do, He can’t resist the urge to run to you and embrace you.

Make Him Your Dwelling

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…” “If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” –Psalms 91:1, 9-10

          Psalm 91 is one of the most famous chapters of scripture. It has been read by soldiers, law enforcement officers, first responders, and your average mom or dad going through a difficult time. Its words have encouraged countless hearts for generations. Psalm 91speaks of a wonderful promise from God. That is, a promise of protection for those who “make the Most High their dwelling.”

          In this passage God promises to protect us from four spiritual dangers the enemy (Satan) throws at us. First, God promises to protect us from the “fowler’s snare”. No one is exempt from being tempted (1^st Cor. 10:13). Jesus Himself was tempted. Not only that, each of us have certain temptations of the flesh that are more of a struggle for us than others. This promise insures that God will protect us from that snare that we so easily fall into time and time again.

          Next God promises to protect us from “deadly pestilence” and the “plague that destroys at midday.” A pestilence or plague is a disease or infection that contagiously spreads throughout a community. What do you see others around you being consumed by? Perhaps it’s a mindset or way of thinking such as negativity, hate, racism, bitterness, etc. God promises to protect you from that pestilence and plague that is consuming so many.

          God also promises to protect us from the “terror of night”. The Bible tells us in 2^nd Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Many in our society are paralyzed by fear, worry, and anxiety over the stresses of life and the events that are taking place in the world. For those of us who have chosen to “rest in the shadow of the Almighty”, God’s promise is that we will rest with a peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Phi. 4:7).

          Lastly God promises to protect us from the arrow that flies by day. Ephesians 6:16 encourages us to take up the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Those of us who love the Lord have a target on our backs and Satan and his demons have us in their crosshairs. But thank God that our faith in our Deliverer protects us from His attacks.

          Now, all this sounds great, but Psalm 91 tells us that all these promises of protection are conditional. Psalm 91:9 tells us that condition; “IF you make the Most High your dwelling-…” Jesus goes even further in John 15:6

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire to be burned.” –John 15:5-6

          These promises to protect us from Satan’s attacks, temptation, fear and worry, and the evil that seems to consume so many others are conditional upon us having a living relationship with Jesus Christ. The “shelter of the Most High” and the “shadow of the Almighty” covers those who make the Most High their dwelling. Are you “dwelling” in Him? Are you daily spending time with Him in prayer, worship, and reading the Word?

          There is nothing more important in this life than your relationship with Jesus. Are you “remaining in Him”? Remain in His love, stay rooted in His Word, drink of His Spirit, make HIM you dwelling, your shelter, your hiding place and these blessings of protection will come upon today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, start one by confessing and forsaking your sins and putting your faith in Him. Do it now, while your heart still beats.

Faith That Works the Impossible

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:2-21

            This powerful statement made by Jesus follows a very dramatic event. After coming down the mountain, Jesus casts the “deaf and dumb spirit” out of a child. It is interesting that the reason Jesus gives the disciples for their inability to cast this demon out is “because you have so little faith”. Earlier in Matthew 10, the Bible records that Jesus gave His disciples power and authority to cast out demons which they did in the various towns and villages in the region.

            The disciples had seen Jesus cast out many demons and had no doubt cast out several themselves. So why were they lacking in faith to cast out this demon? Perhaps it was because this particular case caused them to ask many questions. This was a child after all. Did they question whether or not it was possible for a child to be demon possessed? Did they have difficulty discerning whether or not this was a spiritual or neurological problem? Was the kid just suicidal?

            Asking questions is good and important. Sometimes however, questions can so seeds of doubt effectively killing our faith. Sometimes, we have to simply trust the Lord with child like faith. That is why Jesus said unless we become like children we would never enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 18:3).

            Jesus goes on to say that if we had enough faith, “Nothing would be impossible.” Now that is interesting. In Luke 1:37 when the angel Gabriel is talking with Mary he says that “nothing is impossible with God”. Yet here in Matthew, Jesus says nothing will be impossible for us, if we have faith just as small as a mustard seed!

            The God of the impossible lives inside every born again believer. His power is released and worked by faith. Jesus says that the impossible is achievable if you will only activate the faith necessary to use it. How do we activate that faith? Jesus gives the answer when He says, “if you have faith… you can say ….” To activate this faith that works the impossible, you have to declare it. Declare what? Declare God’s Word over your circumstance.

            For sickness, declare God’s promises about healing. For financial trouble, declare God’s promises about provision. For times of uncertainty, declare God’s promises about His sovereignty and plans for your life. Here’s how God’s Word stirs up that faith.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

 –Romans 10:17

            God’s promises concerning your circumstance will activate the faith you need to work the impossible. So for whatever “impossible mountain” stands in your way today, go see what God’s Word has to say about it. Then let that Word stir up your faith, so that you can work the impossible by declaring God’s promises.

A New Thing

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. –Isaiah 43:19

Words have power. The Bible even says that words have the power of life and death. For this reason, we should be careful about what we say about our lives. Not just our lives, but our community as well. In my brief time in Tyrrell County, I have heard the phrase, “This is a dying community” too many times.

It is not uncommon for people to say that “there is nothing here”. Now, part of the problem is, who are we listening to? But that’s another article for another day. The point is, people to say things like this, and those words do have power. If words have power, I chose to put my faith in the words of the Living God.

A few months ago, God gave me Isaiah 43:19 as a promise for our community. God says that He is doing a new thing! This new thing consists of two parts. One, He promises that in our community, He is making “a way in the wilderness.” Granted, I have heard what the community has, and what cannot be done in the community but I also have heard the voices of HOPE.

I have also listened to the dreamers. I have heard the passion in the ideas of the visionaries. I have been taken back by people in our community who have the audacity to use the words, “What if?” To each dream, to every idea, there are those who say it can’t be done, not here, not in Tyrrell County, no way.

God says the He is making a way in the wilderness. Some may perceive this as a wilderness where nothing happens, no one goes to, and no one leaves. God is going to make a way, a road. A place where people will want to go to, and where people will want to stay and help make it the amazing place God is making it into.

The second thing God says that He is going to do is make “streams in the wasteland.” Imagine that, in a place that others have called a wasteland, there will be “streams”. People have called this community impoverished, with little or no resources. I disagree. Our resources are plentiful if we would just tap into them. God sees this and sometime soon, streams will gush in this place that some have called a “wasteland.”

Before God tells us about this new thing He is getting ready to do, He says this to us.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” –Isaiah 43:18

If we are going to partner with God as He does this new thing, we have to let go of the ways of the past. “The way we’ve always done it” was great, for then. But that was then, this is now. And what got us there won’t get us to where we’re going. Words have power. God is doing a “new thing” in our community. Join me in joining Him by declaring this promise over our community, starting with your own life. Does God need to do a “New Thing” in you?

The Root of Bitterness

     One of my traditions during the Christmas is to cook the “Noche Buena”. That is a big meal that Latino families prepare on Christmas Eve. One of my favorite Cuban dishes is Yuca. Cassava is another name for it. It’s kind of like a potato. It’s actually a root. Yuca is a very popular food in the Latin world but here is the thing. Yuca, can be very poisonous. It actually releases the toxin Cyanide. Did I mention that cook this thing?

     Now one of the reasons Yuca or Cassava is such a popular crop to grow is because it will grow in pretty much any soil. Especially in dry soil. But once again, the dryer the soil is, the greater quantity of cyanide in the root. The author of Hebrews writes about another root; the root of “bitterness.”

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. –Hebrews 12:15

    The Bible speaks of bitterness as a poisonous root that can corrupt us. That word corrupt or defile as the NIV puts it in the original Greek is “miano”. It’s a word that means to stain, to pollute, to contaminate. Bitterness is a root that produces a poison, a toxin. A person who is bitter will exude the poison of hatred, anger, and rage. Those things are toxic to relationships.

    Now how does a bitter root start? A bitter root starts in the soil of a hurt or emotional wound that hasn’t been dealt with. A bitter root grows within the soil of a wounded heart, an emotional injury, a hurt. Someone betrays you and instead of handling that hurt biblically, your absorb it. Why do you absorb it? Because that’s what roots do.

   You see, roots absorb, roots grow, roots store. Roots absorb all the water from the soil that they can. In the same way, that root of bitterness in your life will absorb all the pain from that hurt and turn it into a toxin which will contaminate every area of your life. So how do we “uproot” bitterness in our lives? The answer is rather simple. The problem is, not many people like the answer because it involves using the “F Word”; forgiveness…

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. –Ephesians 4:31

    Not an easy solution, but a simple one to uprooting bitterness in our lives. Simple but admittedly often painful forgiveness. Notice to what extent we are to forgive; “Just as in Christ God forgave you.” How much has God forgiven you of your sins? Then for the sake of your own soul, forgive others just as much. Having walked with many people through deliverance from demons, I have seen time and time again that unforgiveness has often been a stronghold that the enemy uses to keep people in bondage. Don't let a root of bitterness poison your life. -PJ


Pastor Joseph Reeder is Teaching Pastor at "Resurrection River" a nondenominational Spirit Filled church  in Columbia NC with an emphasis in evangelism, deliverance, and leading people into powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit. Pastor Joseph is known for connecting the Gospel to the unchurched and helping people receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. To have Pastor Joseph speak at your next revival, youth meeting, church conference, camp meeting, or other church event call 252-796-7781 or email Pastor Joseph directly at joseph.reeder62@gmail.com 

The "Doctrine of Balaam"

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus instructs John to write letters to seven different churches. These letters speak prophetically to the Church today. To the church at Pergamum, Jesus says this,

“Nevertheless I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.” –Revelation 2:14

So who was Balaam, and what did he do? We read about Balaam in Numbers 22. He was a prophet who used his gift for personal gain. King Balak tried to pay Balaam to corrupt God’s people by cursing them. God wouldn’t allow that. So Balaam came up with a crafty plan. 

He sent Moabite women to infiltrate God’s people, marry with the men, and led the Israelites astray through the men. It worked. The men followed their wives to worshipping other gods and God’s people became corrupted.

So what is Jesus warning us about today? Who are those on the outside who have tried to get the Church to abandon Christ’s teachings but have failed and are now trying to infiltrate the Church? I believe one of these “Doctrines of Balaam” is evolution. For years the world has tried to get the Church to abandon theGenesis account of creation and embrace a more naturalistic evolutionary view of the origins of the universe.

That hasn’t worked out so well. So now what has happened is the world has convinced a few Christian leaders to embrace atheistic evolution and they are now infiltrating the Church leading God’s people astray that way… Just like Balaam did. 

But what’s the big deal? Why is it important that Christians hold fast to what is written in Genesis 1 and 2? I mean, would it really be a big deal if in fact, the Genesis account of creation is not true and human beings truly are just animals that have evolved from primates? Consider these observations.

If the Genesis account of creation is not true then our entire faith begins to become unraveled. If the creation story is just a parable, then that means death and suffering happened before The Fall in the Garden of Eden. The Bible tells us that before Adam ate of the forbidden fruit, there was no suffering, disease, or death. 

In fact, Genesis tells us that The Fall is the cause of suffering, disease, and death in the world. If the earth has existed for billions of years and life forms have been evolving for billions of years, then obviously there has been disease, suffering, and death long before any man or woman came on the scene or any “forbidden fruit”. If that is true, then everything we believe about sin is false, and so is your salvation.

That would also mean that Adam could not have been a historical person, and his subsequent fall could not have been a historical event. That means that many crucial passages in the New Testament must be false and the Word of God is a lie. For example,

“Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was the pattern of the one to come.  –Romans 5:14

“So it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam, a life giving spirit.” -1stCorinthians 15:45

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” -1st Timothy 2:13

Adam being a historical person and The Fall in the Garden of Eden being a historical event are crucial foundations in the doctrine of sin, Jesus, and the resurrection. If the Genesis account of creation is not true, then that means Jesus was a liar. A naturalistic evolutionary view of creation says that the universe has existed for billions of years as has the earth, and that mankind came billions of years after the beginning of creation. Jesus says something different.

“But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.” –Mark 10:6

Jesus didn’t say that mankind; male and female were made billions of years after the beginning of creation. Jesus said that the human race was made AT THE BEGINNING of creation, not billions of years after the fact. Not only that, but Jesus also says in Matthew 23:35 that murder began with a literal person; the murder of Abel.

Now, if Jesus considered Abel to be a historical person, then Abel’s father must have been a historical person too. Abel’s father of course was, Adam. In fact, if we say that the first six chapters of the Bible are myth, story, hyperbole, allegory, etc, then that means thatmuch of the genealogy of Jesus listed in Matthew and Luke are myths too. That would make everything our Lord and Savior claimed He was a myth. Jesus was and is a real person, and He is not the descendant of myths.

That would also mean a lot of people in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 are myths too. You see, you just can’t explain the first six chapters of Genesis as stories. They are crucial and they are the foundation for our entire faith. If we change or erode the foundation, the rest of the house is sure to collapse.

That is what the teachers of this “Doctrine of Balaam” want however. They want to lead the Church astray.They couldn’t do it from the outside, so they have sent people to infiltrate the Church to lead us astray from the inside. Leave these churches that deny Genesis and teach evolution behind. They are false churches led by false teachers. Return to God’s true Church.