Category: Christian Living

Psalm 14:1 & Prayer

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Prayer, Uncategorized

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The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God (Psalm 14:1).  What a thundering statement.  A genuine fool is one who declares out of the abundance of his heart that God does not exist.  The verse goes on to show the outworking of such a heart, They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

Warren Wiersbe in his Prayer, Praise and Promises says,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). When people don’t fear God, they have no wisdom, spiritually or otherwise. The fool says, “There is no God,” which is practical atheism. Most of the world today lives by the philosophy that says, “There may be a God, but I’m not going to think about Him.” God is not in their thoughts, and consequently, He is not in their lives.

The two words “there is” in verse 1 are in italics, which means they were added by the translators to help complete the meaning of the verse. We can read this: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘No God.'” The fool not only says that there is no God; he also says no to God. When we say no to God, we are telling Him that we know more about life than He does and that we have more authority than He has. We cut off ourselves from the blessing He wants to give us.

The most foolish thing you can do is leave God out of your life. If you do, you cut off your source of life and blessing. Don’t make the mistake of the fool. Turn to the Lord and submit to His authority.

Do you know when I am a fool?  When I do not pray; when I do not live in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray with ceasing, and Psalm 55:17, Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.  Every time I start my day without prayer; every time I face a situation without seeking God’s face; every time I give counsel without first asking God for wisdom; every time I preach without praying; every time I (fill-in-the-blank) without praying, I am a fool.  I am saying, “God, I can handle this!  It’s like Wiersbe said, “we are telling Him that we know more about life than He does and that we have more authority that He has.”  And when I refuse to call on Him (Jeremiah 33:3), I am acting like a practical atheist.

I have never forgotten the first time I heard Ken Collier say, “Prayer is the declaration of my dependence upon God.”  Wow!  And then comes ringing the words of Jesus, . . . for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).  Do you want your works to be good, pure, and acceptable, then pray.  If not, they are likely to be corrupt, abominable and bad . . . and we are a fool.

The praying believer says, “There is a God!”  The fool says, “There is no God.”   Look at your prayer life, your attitude toward prayer, and your passion for prayer.  That will determine on which side of prayer and Psalm 14:1 we are living.

Living in the Atmosphere of Prayer

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Prayer, Uncategorized

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When are we going to get it? (When am I going to grasp it?)  When are we are going to realize that in our individual lives, marriages, families, work, and ministries, we are totally missing out on the greatness, power, and work of God if do not become people who breathe and live in the atmosphere of prayer; of throughout the day seeking God’s face (Psalm 27:8)?  Take a moment and let the following truths sink deep into your heart.  Also, please do not let any familiarity with these passages dull its powerful work in your heart!

And he told them a parable to the effect that men ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1).

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. . . . I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling (1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8).

Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7).

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith (Matthew 21:22).

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24).

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:13-14).

Now, put into a sentence what these passages said to you about prayer as you read through them.  Are you living in that blessed atmosphere of prayer?  Can you relate to the following link?  War Room Lukewarm Coffee Scene

May the words of J. Lovell Murray spur us on to a greater life of living a life of prayer communion with our Heavenly Father through the blood of Jesus Christ!

“Our sufficiency is of God.  Difficulties melt in His presence.  In Him are those mighty, overcoming energies, which accomplish the possible and the impossible with equal readiness. . . . The real resources are with Him for the evangelizing and the redeeming of the world.  But He has not been able to do ‘many mighty works’ in the non-Christian lands because of our unbelief as a Church.  We have not possessed our possessions.  God has been waiting to be honored by the faith of a generation that would call upon Him for really large outpourings of His power.”  (Deep Fire, p. 175)

“Prayer opens up the floodgates for God to come down and be involved in our everyday lives.” (Priscilla Shirer)

I’m Still Learning

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Discipleship, Running, Uncategorized

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Well, the School of Running continues to be a good teacher.  Check out the June 2nd post, In the School of Running

Lesson:  You are greatly influenced by the people you run with.

Monday morning, I passed a guy running in the opposite direction that is new to our “neck of the woods.”  We have spoken to each other before, but that all changed.  As we passed, I asked him how many miles he ran each day.  With that, he turned and started running beside me.  As we ran and chatted, I found out he has run eight minute miles and even faster. I also found out real quick that his pace and mind don’t match.  After all, he is approximately 25 years my junior. But I was determined to keep up with him, and I did for a mile or more before he went his own way.  (Boy, was I glad!)

As he headed on his way home, and I continued my solo jaunt to the house in the opposite direction, I was struck by how a better runner had so quickly influenced me.  That leads me to ask, what kind of people do you “run” with?  Who has the greatest influence on your life?  Do you like to be with folks that challenge you, ask you the hard questions, hold you accountable, help you grow in the faith, lead you to raise the bar in your relationship with Christ, and enjoy life in Christ?  Or, do you gravitate toward people who are lazy, critical, selfish, backslidden, complaining, downcast, minimal in their walk with Christ, and/or make you feel comfortable in your current state?

Here’s a good verse that speaks to this lesson: Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Your word (Psalm 119:74).  Are people glad to see you coming because they know you are a person who loves, learns, and lives the Word of God?  They know you will biblically love them, be an encouraging exhorter to press on for Christ, and be willing to give you godly counsel? Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Consider who you “run” with.  What kind of influence do they have on you?  Are you all running toward Christ or away from Him?

Your Doorbell is Ringing!

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Discipleship

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It happens almost every Thursday at 4:00 in the afternoon!  Our doorbell rings and standing there are our two precious neighbor children.  If the weather is warm, they are peering in through the glass to see if anyone is coming to let them in.  Their anticipation for Bible Club is infectious!  For almost two years, these two have made their trek across our yard to learn God’s Word!  They have become like grandchildren to us!

I wish you could have seen them yesterday helping my wife bake cookies which served as their object lesson.  Each of them had their own bowl to mix their ingredients as well as their own set of gooey chocolate chip cookies on their own cooking sheet.  As I watched this process, here’s what I saw:

  • Cam loves to eat and who doesn’t like to indulge in a dollop of cookie dough!! So there he was, hanging over the mixing bowl, eagerly looking back-and-forth at my wife, and asking several times, “Can I lick that?!?!”  What a sight!  And, when he had his first opportunity to eat a baked cookie, he didn’t even wait to see if my wife had the milk poured.  With gusto he asked, “Can I have some milk, please?  I wanna dunk my cookie!”  And dunk he did!
  • Cal is of a different personality, of course, but in her polite way, she too was eager to partake of those warm morsels. She also dunked her cookie in her milk but in such a girlie fashion.  How precious to listen to her pray and thank the Lord for their snack.

What makes all of this so wonderfully joyful?  Without a doubt, the pure act of discipleship that takes place in our living room, kitchen, backyard, porch and/or dining room every Thursday.  Yesterday, I watched Denise, with great patience, instruct with great detail how to proceed through each step of baking cookies.  And when all was said and done, the “disciples” absolutely enjoyed what they had learned, and the “discipler’s” heart was filled with great satisfaction, contentment and joy!  The “disciples” even ran home with great joy to show and share with their parents what they had learned!

When you are involved in discipleship, what a rich blessing to teach a hungry soul the ingredients of God’s Word.  When they taste and see that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8), they are excited to go share their joy and what they have learned with others (John 4:29).

We have a commission, not a suggestion (Matthew 28:18-20).  God’s way is always perfect (Psalm 18:30).  His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 9:8).  Are their children in your neighborhood who need “cookie lessons” during their summer break?

I sure hope your “doorbell” is ringing this summer!

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  (Matthew 28:18-20)

Seeing Double

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Family, Parenting

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Once-a-month, our church serves the homeless a lunch meal in downtown Johnson City, TN, at the Melting Pot.  One of the blessings of this journey to and from town is being accompanied by a young teen boy who attends our church and lives near us.  I love to watch him because when I do, I am seeing double.  Double?  Yes, his father.  His dad is a faithful servant of the Lord, a “full-blown” engineer at a local plant, an intentional man, one who runs from anything that would even give the impression of feminine, and dearly loves his family.  When I watch his 13 year old son, I see a young man thinking like his dad, walking like his dad, dressing like his dad, talking like his dad, and . . . I am not surprised.  He is also the firstborn and looks up to his dad.

When someone looks at you, who do they see?  Paul said it so well in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.  How natural it is for children to act like their parents and other family members because of their natural birth and so much time spent in their presence.  How really natural it should be for those of us who have had a spiritual birth (John 3:1-17) to imitate Christ because He lives in us, and we spend time with Him in prayer, in worship, in singing, and in the memorization and meditation of the Word of God.

Colossians 1:27 – Christ in you, the hope of glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18- But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Truth is, only when a dad is imitating Christ should he be able to say to his family, “Imitate me.”  And, our desire to be like Christ should be so genuine that it creates a thirst in our family to imitate Christ. Just as exposure to the sun makes people acknowledge your tan, our exposure to the Son, Jesus Christ, should cause others to recognize Who we are imitating, Who means the most to us, and Who we are seeking first (Matthew 6:33).

Are the folks around you seeing double?

You must abide in Christ in heaven before you can descend with heavenly ability to act for Him down here. The great secret of all blessing is to come from the Lord.  Most Christians go to Him. (A. J. Gordon)

How’s Your Passion?

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Word, The Bible, Worship

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Recently, I was asked this question by a dear friend.  We hadn’t seen each other for a couple of years, and after getting caught up, he asked, “How’s Your Passion?”  Passion for what?  Coffee?  UK Wildcats? Running?  Hiking?  Cars? Food?

Having known this person for many years, I knew what he meant.  He wanted to know how my passion for Christ was going?  He went on to say that recently two seminary students had ask him how they could keep their own passion going.  His answer, “You have to get up every day, early in the morning, and meet with God.”  His passion for Christ is on display every day and is so vital to him that he has even prepared a special place in his home to meet with God.  There you will find the fireplace, his chair, table, lamp, books, music, quiet and whatever else is necessary for him to pray, study and sit at Jesus feet.

Passion for Christ cannot be found doing ministry.  Passion for Christ cannot be gained from someone else.  Passion for Christ cannot be purchased at Lifeway Christian Bookstore. Passion for Christ comes by meeting daily with Him, alone, letting His Word read you, seeking His face, listening to His voice, and pouring out your heart to Him in prayer and worship.

Psalm 63 shows us another man, David, who was passionate about seeking God.

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

Pastor Steven Cole puts it, “David expresses longing for God’s presence, praise, joy, fellowship with God, and confidence in God’s salvation. The psalm shows us that David’s priority was to seek the Lord. Seeking after God should be our most important priority.”

So, let me ask you like my friend did me, “How’s your passion?”

Attitudes and Altitudes

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, God's Creation, Hiking, Uncategorized

I love hiking! Since the days of living in Bluefield, West Virginia, which included hiking to the top of East River Mountain and traipsing through the woods hunting, the outdoors are continually calling me.  Last Saturday, I had the joy of hiking Black Balsam near Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This area is known for its balds which reminded me of Roan Mountain.  We stopped for breakfast in Brevard and were greeted with the warm, encouraging sun as we exited the restaurant.  I’m thinking, this is going to be a beautiful hike!  Halfway up the mountain to the parkway, the sky started to grow darker.  When we arrived at the trail head, we were met with ice pellets, blustery winds, and COLD!  Standing at the back of the car, putting on our layers, packing some protein, and watching the clouds hover ever so close, I knew this would be an exhilarating hike!

As we fought the wind up the mountain, I realized I had left my gloves back home.  My hands were freezing!  Rick suggested I use a pair of sox.  Am I ever glad I packed an extra pair in my pack!  The winds howled and the clouds hid the sun and the views.  I remember one major turn in the trail that put us trudging dead center into the wind.  Eventually, we reached an area over 6,000 feet and tucked ourselves down below some rocks to break the wind and to have a snack.  It was still cold, but we were having an awesome time!

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After an hour or more, the clouds started to dissipate a bit and move on.  The sun warmed us and the views were spectacular.  We could see Looking Glass Rock in the distance and Graveyard Fields below.  Looking another direction was Shining Rock.  The hike back to the car involved walking an old railroad bed.  You could see the old bed across the valley on the opposite hill and hear in your mind that steam locomotive climbing the steep grade.

 

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The best part of the hike was the fellowship Rick, Andrew, and I enjoyed.  One very special moment was stopping along the trail to pray for lost family members and friends who need to come to Christ for salvation.  What a blessing to have eyes to see God’s creation, words to speak, a heart to rejoice, and a voice to sing along the trail and to speak to other hikers as they pass.

Hiking is 70 – 80% attitude as you hike changing altitudes, weather and trail conditions.  To keep going through all the challenges on a trail, you must have the right attitude for it will be tested. That is much like life.  Every day our journey Home to Glory is affected by our outlook on life.  For followers of Christ, what attitude should we have on the trail of life?  Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).  In other words, your attitude should be the same as Jesus’ attitude.  Furthermore, Hebrews 12:2-3, tells us how to have that Christlike attitude, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Meditate on this today, keep your hiking poles in your hand, and enjoy the view, the journey.

We choose what attitudes we have right now. And it’s a continuing choice. ~ John C. Maxwell

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Wildflowers and the Word

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, The Bible, Uncategorized

While traveling up the mountain toward the Blue Ridge Parkway for a day of hiking, all of sudden the driver of our vehicle stops in the road and puts the car in reverse.  What has caught Rick’s attention?  A bear?  Some deer? A waterfall?  Then he says, “That hillside is full of yellow trillium.”  I looked and all I saw were trees, weeds, and undergrowth.   I strained my eyes to see this early bloom, but to an avail.  And then he said, “See, right there in front of us beneath that tree is a whole bunch.”  Finally, my eyes settled in on what caught his eye passing by at 35- 40 mph.

Rick graduated from Clemson many years ago with a degree in forestry.  His love of the outdoors and all that God has created is readily seen if you spend any time with him in the mountains.  He has, by his own admission, spent many hours poring over wildflower books.  So a hike through the mountains with Rick is sure to be an education in forestry and flowers!

While heading on toward the trail with a few more wildflower recognitions, several analogies came to mind.

  1. Rick was able to quickly recognize these flowers because he has given dedicated time to the study of wildflowers. He knew what to look for, when to look for it, and where to look for these beautiful yellow flowers.  Are you able to readily see where God is at work because of your hours studying the Word of God?  Can you recognize His character being revealed through various daily situations of life?  Do you see answers to prayer?  Are opportunities to praise the Lord eagerly spoken?
  2. Rick has a passion for wildflowers that he is quick to share. How about you?  Is your passion for Christ such that there are no forced gospel opportunities?  It just comes natural for you to talk about the greatest passion of your life, the Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. As I mentioned earlier, Rick, without any fanfare, loves to teach about wildflowers. Have you studied the Word in such a way that discipleship is a passion for you?  Do you love to teach your children eternal truths?

I tried to “rejoice with those who rejoice” when Rick showed us those wildflowers. They were special to him. But the real rejoicing was being with a man who is more fervent for the Word of God, knowing Christ and seeing souls come to understand the Creator more than for what He has created.

So, the day on the trail was a day of beautiful wildflower sightings as well as sharing together in the blessings of being born again in Christ!

My Solitary Place

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Renewal, Uncategorized

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And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (Mark 1:35).  Where’s your solitary place?  Where do you go to disconnect from the world and reconnect with your Heavenly Father? Do you have a spot in the mountains, in the back yard, at a cabin, or in the woods where you can pray, read Scripture, write, listen, sing, observe, think, memorize and be still?

Even Jesus Himself did not “burn the candle at both ends” or run 75 mph every day. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed (Luke 5:16). If you are going to be like Christ and follow in His footsteps, neither will you. Yes, you may have your “War Room” at your house where you daily meet with Christ, but you need a solitary place.  Ask the Lord to lead you to one, to help you rearrange your schedule, and then to clear the way for it to happen.  You may go for one hour, an afternoon or a day or more.  Guaranteed, you’ll be glad you did.

The picture above is one of my favorite solitary places.  I had to run there today for an hour, and be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) . . . and I am not.

Where’s your solitary place to meet with God?

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mk. 6:30-32).

Where Were You?

by Dale, posted in Christian Living, Church, Eternity, Uncategorized

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Twice a year, the boys of NASCAR bring their rides to the fastest half mile on the circuit.  Having been a racing fan since the days of Fireball Roberts, David Pearson, and Junior Johnson, watching a race at Bristol is the ultimate as far as I’m concerned.  I remember the track in the mid-70’s before it became a colossal venue.  I also remember attending races where every seat was packed and a Bristol ticket was hard to come by.  The pre-race events, the racing itself, and the “circus” outside the track was something you didn’t want to miss.  For years, fans have come for days ahead to get their favorite RV spot.

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Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day with full sun and perfect temperatures.  Albeit the race was on Sunday, you could say it was a perfect day for racing.  Halfway through the race, I turned on the TV to see what was happening.  For the short while I viewed the competition, the racing didn’t get my attention . . . the crowd did.  Where was everybody?  The stands almost looked like a ghost town.  I mean, this is “Bristol Baby!”

Yesterday in the morning service, I preached from Revelation 6:9-11 concerning those believers who will be martyred for the Word of God and their testimony during the first half of the Tribulation.  Oh, the powerful, solemn, convicting, yet encouraging truths to be mined out of that passage led us to see that every believer should be preparing for martyrdom. Then we watched a video about a young lady who chose to die for her faith in Christ at the hands of her family.  The testimony video was followed by observing the Lord’s Supper with the partaking of the emblems in view of being a possible martyr for Christ.  The challenge was to exchange our weak following of Christ for an all-out surrender to and for Him!   We sat at Jesus’ feet, learned of Him, and were stirred by eternal truths!  As I looked around at the crowd . . . where was everybody?

Since I have a bit of an allegiance to and for Bristol Raceway, I’m sorry to see such a small attendance.  But, what occurred yesterday is so fleeting and temporal.  In eternity, what will it matter that Carl Edwards went from the pole to the win?  How will lives be changed for eternity because Bristol hosted three days of racing?  So, if you didn’t attend, you did not miss anything.

If you chose to stay away from your Bible-believing, preaching church yesterday, you did miss something.  You missed eternal truths that change lives, exalt Christ, present the Gospel, and prepare us for the future.  You missed what really mattered.

I love racing and love attending the August night race, but the Bema Seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-11) far outweighs Bristol.  So, where were you?