At God's Disposal

There was a cartoon when I was a kid that had a king and a goofy jester, I don't remember which cartoon or what episode, but I do remember what the jester would always say when the king called for him. He would arrive before the king and say, "At your disposal, king."

I had no idea what that was about when I was little but as grew older I figured out that the jester would do whatever the king would ask. He presented himself before the king to do his bidding, whatever that may be.

Today Romans 6 verse 13 brought new meaning to an old cartoon that I have almost forgotten.

Do not present our members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

The literal meaning of the word "present" in this verse is to "put at someones disposal." In other words Paul is teaching that we should let our lives and bodies be at the disposal of the King. We are not jesters, we are heirs, sons, and daughters of the King. But we can still place our lives at God's disposal and stop allowing sin to reign. Present yourself before God and do the King's bidding.

Suffering, Endurance, Character, Hope

As I was reading again through the book Romans today, verses 2-5 of chapter 5 resounded with my heart in the time of transition that my family and I are in.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace on which we stand and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that , we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us

It is amazing how God speaks to His people through His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit in the right ways at the right time, when we are willing to listen. As much as we struggle and fight against the reading of His Word, the truth is, it is worth it to hear His voice, and for the Word to speak right into your life.

Remember that the Christian life is SIMPLE! Start by Studying the scriptures and let the God of the Universe speak intimate words just to you and for you in the Bible. Be encouraged and challenged, be diligent and focused.

Keep it SIMPLE!

Keep it SIMPLE!

I recently came across a confession of Bill Hybels concerning the last thirty years of ministry at Willow Creek, while reading Dr. Hershael York's blog. Watch the video and think of how simple church really is.

Bill Hybels Video - Reveal

The SIMPLE Christian life is the subject of the fist series of messages on Sunday nights. Students we are going to start right at the heart of the Christian walk, learning to feed yourself daily! Let's keep it SIMPLE!

S - Study the Word
I - Invest in Others
M - Make Disciples of Christ
P - Pray
L - Love One Another
E - Exalt God and Exult in God

Totally Persuaded

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is a promise of promises found in Romans 8:35-39. Paul is totally persuaded that he will never reach the limits of the love of God and then step over. In Jesus Christ there are no limits to His love, there are no circumstances in which God stops loving you. If you are in Christ, you are a child of God. God loves his Son infinitely and therefore you infinitely. To stop loving you would mean that he must stop loving His Son, and that is not going to happen.

Are you totally persuaded? I know as I read this passage again this morning it took on fresh meaning in the middle of all the transition. No matter what I am doing, no matter where I am, I am loved by God. I am in Jesus Christ! Amen!

Be totally persuaded of God's love in Christ Jesus! Rest in that truth!

Solomon's first day in AWANA

Solomon attended his first AWANA meeting at Richland Creek. I think he is a fan. Mostly because I listened to him sing "I've got the joy joy joy" for 30 minutes which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Welcome Richland Creek Family

Ann and I are excited to finally be on the field in Wake County here at Richland Creek Community Church! We have attended our first Sunday and were encouraged beyond measure by the demonstrations of love, not only to us, but the family of Richland Creek to one another. The time of communion was sweet fellowship in which to watch and participate.

To all who are from Richland Creek. I hope that you will be encouraged by my posts as I have already been encouraged by your hospitality and affections. Welcome to my blog!

Pastor Dave

Fully Convinced - Romans 4:20-21

January 6, 2001 has been etched in history as a milestone in my life. It was on that day that I made a vow to commit the rest of my life to my wife and say the "I do." It was on that day that my entire trust and devotion to one woman for all of life was publicly announced and demonstrated to a whole sanctuary of witnesses, but most importantly before my Lord. I was fully convinced that day that Ann was the one and I trusted in her promise to be with me for the rest of her life.

This morning as I was reading in Romans I was struck by 4:20-21. Talking about Abraham the Apostle Paul writes,

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Abraham grew stronger in the simple trust and devotion to the promise the Lord had made him. He beleived that God would do exactly what he promised he would do. Abraham was fully convinced. Are we fully convinced?

I look back on that wedding day and remember how I was unwavering in my commitment and fully convinced that Ann was the one for me. How much more should I,and you,be fully convinced that God will keep his promise.

God is able. Be fully convinced of that!

For everything there is a season

The family and I will be moving to North Carolina in just a couple of days. It seems as though it has only been a short time since we moved to Louisville, Kentucky with an 11 month old to start the seminary journey. Now just three and a half years later and many friends later, we will be leaving with a nine month old and a four year old and many memories to cherish for a lifetime.

To all who have been a part of our family and we a part of yours during out time at Cedar Creek and at Southern Seminary, Thank you! We have enjoyed the time and have learned much. More than any other time my family has grown in the Lord and can walk away from a season of life knowing, without regret, that we have done all the Lord has placed in front of us.

To the students who I had the short opportunity to minister to as interim student pastor. Please fight apathy and boredom with a hunger for the Word that will show you the awesome Father we serve who is like no other. The TASK ahead of you is never as great as the POWER behind you!

It is now time for us to begin our journey at Richland Creek Community Church. May we be humble and attentive to God's voice. I trust that the Lord will do far more abundantly than I can ask or imagine, because I will struggle with all His energy.