What Could I Possibly Have To Complain About?

Philippians 2

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16a Hold firmly to the word of life...

So much easier said than done. I am working each day to be more humble, and to eliminate the tendency to complain from my life. I seriously have no right to complain. I have my salvation in Christ. I am married to Peggy Ruth Dixon Blount. We have four wonderful children who love and serve the Lord. I work as an associate minister at Vero Christian Church. I am the MOST BLESSED MAN on this planet. My struggle is to hold firmly to the Word of Life, but getting in the Word every day helps tremendously in that regard. Thank You, Jesus, for being the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Perfect Example, and the Lover of my soul! May Your light shine brightly in me and through me every day.

Nothing Else Matters

Philippians 1

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

As I begin a week of wrestling with the concept of dying daily to self, I am so glad to read this passage. Paul exemplifies what it means to daily die to self. I want to have the same attitude that he has as he writes to the church at Philippi. May I live for Christ this day, may nothing else matter!

Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 5

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

How do you stay strong in the Lord? Paul goes on to lay out the plan:

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Lord, strengthen me today to stand firm and strong for You.

Pleasing Aroma

Ephesians 5

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Wow, do I have a long way to go in this regard. It is my goal to literally be able to say, “follow me, as I follow Christ.” I know that in order to say that with any integrity whatsoever, I need to do a better job of following Christ. May my life be filled with the love of Christ for everyone, and may I live so that I am a pleasing aroma to God.

Getting Better All the Time

Ephesians 4

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

“Me used to be angry young man, hiding me head in the sand. You gave me the word, I finally heard. I’m doing the best that I can.” Lyrics from an old Beatles’ tune that best describe my journey with Jesus in regards to what Paul addresses here. While I still have a long way to go, I have to admit its getting better, its getting better all the time!

What Unity?

Ephesians 4

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

Again, Paul talks about the need for Christians to be humble and gentle; to be patient with one another making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love. Again, I think about how Brent Baker is being treated by a supposed “Christian Brother.” It is no wonder that there is nothing close to unity going on up there.

Purpose

Ephesians 3

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s purpose for the church and through the church is laid out here. The church (the “called out ones”) is designed to display the wisdom of God by spreading the Good News about Jesus to EVERYONE. Since I am part of the church, that is MY PURPOSE, too!

Once Dead, Now Alive

Ephesians 2

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

I once was dead, and now I am alive thanks to Christ Jesus. I praise God for His rich mercy, and His great love! May I live a life of love towards others so they may see Christ living in me.

Shout Praises To God

Psalm 66

1 Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!

2 Sing about the glory of his name!

Tell the world how glorious he is.

This has been a week filled with busyness, as I have been painting Dad’s room on top of my “normal” schedule. It has been a week when I could serve Dad, Peggy, and all the family at the same time. I praise God for this opportunity and I want to sing His praises for His glorious grace extended to me every day.

What Part of Gently and Humbly is misunderstood here?

Galatians 6

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

I cannot help but think of how my brother Brent has been treated by a fellow “minister,” when I read these words. While Brent certainly had some fault in the situation and sin for which to repent (and he did), this guy was anything but gentle. This guy did not seek to restore, but rather to destroy Brent. My heart is broken. Not just for Brent, but for this guy, and for the congregation that is now torn up in turmoil because a supposedly godly man chose to be anything but godly in how he handled this situation. May the good Lord have mercy on everyone involved.

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

This kind of fruit continues to be developed in my life. This is what I want my life to look like to others. Father, continue to work in me through Your Holy Spirit. I ask this all in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thirst For God

Psalm 63

1 O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you;

my whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land

where there is no water.

Do I earnestly search for God every day? Do I thirst for God? Do I long for God? I say that I do, but often my actions do not show it. Father, it is my desire to long for You daily. Not just with words, but with my whole being.

United With Christ

Galatians 3

26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

When does Paul say that we are united with Christ? When we are baptized. Paul says that we put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. I am so glad that I have new clothes, because my old ones were as filthy rags in the eyes of God. My new clothes are a shimmering white, because I am now a child of God through my faith in Christ Jesus and through being united with Him in baptism. Like everyone else who has obeyed the Gospel, I am one with Christ and with them!

I'd Rather Have Jesus

Proverbs 23

17 Don’t envy sinners,

but always continue to fear the Lord.

18 You will be rewarded for this;

your hope will not be disappointed.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. I am reminded today of an old song that says, “I would rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today. That is my lifestyle. I do not envy those who appear to have it all (at least as the culture defines it). I am content to be a child of Christ, Peggy’s husband, Elliott (Abi), Ian, and Emily’s dad, and a minister of the Gospel of Christ serving at Vero Christian Church. My life is absolutely amazing and I wouldn’t dare ask for anything more.

Old Self Died

Galatians 2

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

This is so key. As a follower of Christ, who has been obedient in Baptism, I know that my old self is dead. Not that I don’t still struggle with sin, but that struggle is different now because I have the indwelling Holy Spirit to convict me when I need to be convicted, to remind me when I need to be reminded, and to encourage me when I need to be encouraged. I cannot overcome sin in my life on my own...it is only through the Power of God through the Holy Spirt and because of the Blood of Jesus that my sin can be overcome. For that I praise my Lord every single day!

A Good Spanking

Proverbs 23

13 Don’t fail to discipline your children.

They won’t die if you spank them.

14 Physical discipline

may well save them from death.

It is easy to fall back into parental mode on this one, but today I want to assume the role of the child. God is my Father, and He must discipline me. I won’t die if I am spanked by my Heavenly Father, but a lack of discipline will surely lead me to separation from Him. There is much in my life for which I am deserving of a good spanking. I do not ask my Lord to spare me from such discipline, I simply ask to learn my lessons well from this discipline so we don’t have to keep going over the same thing time and time again. I am a slow learner, though, and I fully anticipate getting spanked again. Do what You must for my sake, O Lord.

Hmmm

Galatians 1

6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Paul is way more harsh than I find myself being on this subject, and I do not believe that Paul is in the wrong. The denominational movement within “Christianity” teaches a man-made, false doctrine regarding salvation. Calvinism is flat out NOT found in the Scriptures. I know that there are folks who will vehemently argue this point. I would simply point folks to the pages of the Holy Scriptures, particularly the book of Acts, to see how the early church treated the subject of salvation. How does Paul treat this notion of “the elect”? Why are 21 of the 27 books of the New Testament designed to help Christians know how to live? Hmmm...I could start sounding like Paul in Galatians 1, now couldn’t I?

Traits of a Christ Follower

2 Corinthians 13

11 Dear brothers, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Paul is finishing up his 2nd letter to the church at Corinth, and the last section is filled with stern corrections and rebukes. He then, like a loving parent, reminds the Christians at Corinth to live like followers of Christ: be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Those are the marks of a true follower of Christ. Father, may I be known for those traits in my life each day.

Put My Trust In You

Psalm 56

3 But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

4 I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

I cannot help but think of my buddy Brent when I read this Psalm today. I pray Lord that You will guide Brent and those who have had him under attack. Father, may all involved in this very unChristian treatment of Your servant Brent come to know You, Your Love, Your Grace, and Your Forgiveness. I am trusting in You, O God. May Brent do the same. May the leadership at his (now) former congregation do likewise.

Hear My Cry

Psalm 55

1 Listen to my prayer, O God.

Do not ignore my cry for help!

2 Please listen and answer me,

for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

3 My enemies shout at me,

making loud and wicked threats.

They bring trouble on me

and angrily hunt me down.

Ten years ago today, a similar prayer to this was on the lips of lots of folks in America. We had suffered the attacks from Muslim Extremists who want to see this nation and these people come to an end. I offer this prayer not as an American, but as a Christian. Lord, do not ignore my cry for help. May this day serve as a reminder for me to depend upon You and Your Son Jesus daily. There are plenty of wicked folks who want to see me and what I stand for destroyed. Not because it is me, but because I stand for You, Lord. Whether I remain alive physically or not, may YOU be glorified always. May my life bring You honor, and may those who observe my life be drawn to You.

Send Me

Isaiah 6

1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

5 Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” 8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Today, I knelt before a chair and sang a song of worship to Jesus. It was overwhelming. I cannot imagine what Isaiah must have thought at the vision of God on the throne surrounded by seraphim singing God’s praises. I too, am a man of unclean lips desperately in need of having his sins forgiven each day. I too, want to be a man who will serve God wherever, whenever, however. I want to answer God’s call just as Isaiah did...”here I am, send me.”

God is Real

Psalm 53

1 Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

There are plenty of fools out there. I do not wish to be one of them. There is One God, and He is the Creator of Life, the Author of Salvation, and to Him alone will I give all glory, honor, and praise! May my life be a song of love and devotion to Him and Him alone. When others see my life, may they proclaim that surely God is real, for He is seen in this guy’s life!

Let's Settle This

Isaiah 1

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool.

19 If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat.

20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen,

you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

As I listen to the Lord this morning, I hear Him saying, “Come now, let’s settle this.” It really boils down to one thing: obedience in love. If I truly love the LORD, I will obey Him. If I truly believe that God alone can forgive me of my sins, cleanse me of my shortcomings, grant me everlasting life, then why WOULDN’T I love and obey Him? Exactly. It could only be because I don’t really believe Him. Well, I do believe, and I do love and I desperately want to obey Him. Guess it is settled then, eh?

My Confesion

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion,

blot out the stain of my sins.

2 Wash me clean from my guilt.

Purify me from my sin.

3 For I recognize my rebellion;

it haunts me day and night.

4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight.

You will be proved right in what you say,

and your judgment against me is just.

David writes these words after the prophet Nathan has confronted the King with his sin involving Bathsheeba. These words are so appropriate for me on a daily basis. Father, thank You for being so loving and so forgiving. Help me to change my attitude, so that I will not so easily desire to give in to temptation and sin against You. It is my desire to live so that You will be pleased with me always. I know that this is ONLY possible when I submit to You daily.

Proper Treatment of the Word

Psalm 50

16 But God says to the wicked:

“Why bother reciting my decrees

and pretending to obey my covenant?

17 For you refuse my discipline

and treat my words like trash.”

What does God think about people who misuse His Word? He calls them wicked. Those who pretend to follow God, but really are living only for themselves? Wicked. Lord, help me to follow Your Word and to treat that Word with the respect You deserve.

A Message To Communicate

Ecclesiastes 12

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

As I see my time in Student Ministry drawing to a close, I believe this is a message I need to pass along. I LOVE the enthusiasm of youth, but I desperately desire to pass along some wisdom concerning keeping your eyes focused on Christ. Lord, I pray that You will help me develop this thought further, and that I may be able to effectively communicate Your desires for the students at VCC for this time of transition and beyond. Thank You for the blessing of allowing me to have played some small role in the lives of students for the past two and a half decades. May Jesus be glorified by all that has been done in His Name.

Celebrating Our God

Psalm 48

9 O God, we meditate on your unfailing love

as we worship in your Temple.

10 As your name deserves, O God,

you will be praised to the ends of the earth.

Your strong right hand is filled with victory.

Celebration Services were so much fun today. The songs were directed at blatant praise to God. No guess work was needed, and there was nothing subtle about it. The band performed flawlessly, and the Spirit moved through the music preparing hearts for the Word to be proclaimed. What a Happy Day to be Still and to praise the God of This City. Lord, You are the God of Wonders, the Beautiful One, the Ancient of Days. Thank You for the privilege of leading Your people in a time of Celebration today!

Unified

Ecclesiastes 4

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Tonight, this principle was on bold display at VCC. We had a congregational meet and greet for our Student Minister Candidate, and in a show of absolute unity, all of the Elders and ministers sat up front in a row of chairs facing the rest of the folks. We placed the Student Minister Candidate and his wife in the middle of that row, surrounding them with the rest of us. What a powerful visual signal that was sent. I believe this simple arrangement of chairs did as much to communicate the unity that exists within our current leadership as anything else we could have done tonight.

Now Is The Time

Ecclesiastes 3

1 For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

2 A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

3 A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

7 A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

8 A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

I believe this the time for our current Elders to take a stand, to confront in love, and to exhibit the type of leadership that is frankly being called into question by some (not me, by the way). I see evidence that this will indeed occur, and I am so heartened! I love our Elders, and the godly example they set. Especially when they are “attacked” by a well-meaning brother in Christ. I pray that my attitude in this situation will be one that brings glory to God always. Yeah, I have some repenting to do, and some trusting to do. Now is the time.

Fearful Responsibility

2 Corinthians 5

11 Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.

I wonder how many of us who claim to be followers of Christ truly understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord? I mean, we are all not Paul, but we have been given talents, gifts and abilities. We do have our own spheres of influence. We have been called by the Creator of Life and the Author of Salvation to serve as His ambassadors. Yet, we are often content to slog through this life giving little thought to those around us who will go to hell because we have not shown them the love of Christ in our lives. Makes me sad to think that we get so caught up in our own petty problems that we forget the big picture. I need some prayer time about this today.