The Lord Be With You – And Also With You!

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

The Lord be with you – and also with you. A familiar statement and response for many who have attended worship services in many churches. It brings peace to many to know that wherever they go – wherever they may find themselves in the journey of life – God is still with us. Don’t get me wrong – God may not always approve of what we are doing or where He may find us – but God is always present – always with us. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

I remember feeling God’s presence in 2012 when a tractor-trailer t-boned me on route 3 in Crofton, MD. As the driver clipped my rear and put me into a spin – I ended up in front of the tractor-trailer and it t-boned me down route 3 going 50 MPH or more. I felt God’s presence – I even had a quick moment where I believed I was going to meet Him face-to-face. Looking out your driver’s window and seeing the grill of a tractor-trailer will do that to you! I said a quick prayer – Lord – take me or save me! There in my car – thinking I was about to meet my maker – I felt the presence of God – the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

How’s Our Hearing?

Exodus 3:4

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:1-5 – ¹ Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. ³ So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight — why the bush does not burn up.” ⁴ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” ⁵ “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Often – as I sit at my desk at home in the wee hours of the morning at times – waiting to hear from God – I begin to type thoughts down for a devotional or a sermon. Have you ever wondered how one would hear from God? I mean – the Scriptures are filled with people hearing from God. Some examples are in the biblical text for us. There’s Moses’ burning bush experience.

Never Be Lacking in Zeal

Romans 12:11

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Baseball season is only 8-9 days away. Carolyn and I had a wonderful time attending three spring training games for the Orioles earlier this month. The team is young and exciting to watch. They won 101 games last year and we have high hopes for them to win 95+ again this year. The fans at spring training were excited and cheering for their team. A man next to us in the stands one game was really friendly and excited for the upcoming season. NO ONE had to pump up the fans – they were excited and had loads of zeal.

Gone are the days (at least for a few seasons) when we might worry about losing 100 games or even coming in last place in our division. The future looks bright and we have a lot to be thankful for in the coming years. For three straight years – we have had the #1 minor league player and might have a 4th year next year. Let’s fill Oriole Park at Camden Yards this year. With new ownership and an increased gate – we might even be able to sign some of our young players to a second contract to keep them around!

I Have Fought the Good Fight

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

One of the things I do as a pastor – is to encourage the Saints of Christ in their final days. I have done more funerals than I’d like to count – losing some dear friends along the way. Along with being blessed and called upon to help folks in their last days or hours – I’m also called to encourage and guide the rest of us. We do not know when those last days and hours will come for us. We need to be ready – for it could come at any time.

I came to believe in Jesus Christ as a 12 year old. Oh – I was raised in a Christian home and would have told you – before 12 – that I was a Christian – but my faith was based upon my parent’s faith and my upbringing in the church. It wasn’t until a revival – the summer when I was 12 years old (57 years ago) – that my faith became personal and mine. I went to the altar and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I asked the evangelist to pray over me after the service – because I felt a tug on my heart to do so.

Lent 2024 – Guard Your Mouth

Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

We are in the midst of Lent 2024. Day 9 is upon us. Lent is a time to deny self and do more to witness Jesus and bring Him praise and glory. What have we decided to give up and how will we bring God praise and glory?

I remember one time – playing basketball – and missing every shot – or so it seemed. I mentioned that someone must have put a lid on the rim. Of course no one had – but the idea of a lid on the rim – keeping the ball from going thru the basket is something that a number of players has claimed when they go cold shooting. I wish my knees would allow me to return to the court – even if I missed a lot of shots. I miss playing basketball so much!

Have you ever heard the phrase – put your brain in gear before putting your mouth in motion? Too many of us shoot from the hip – so to speak (see what I did there?). Too many of us speak before we think – and then wish we could capture our words and take them back. Has that ever happened to you? I know it has happened to me – far more times than I wish to remember.