On Eagles Wings

Here I am waiting
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing for You
Hide me in Your love
Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus
More and more

Come live in me
All my life
Take over
Come breathe in me
I will rise
On eagles wings

I took the day off today and I've been justing hanging out in my quite time with God. I am sitting here listening to this song by Hillsong. It says so well what I don't seem to have words for at times. All I want is to have the breath of God on me. The only way you can feel some one's breath is to be very close to them. It also implies intimacy. You know, I just want to be God's friend. I want to be his "go to" man when there is a task at hand. Father God, make me your "go to" man.

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10. That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made comformable unto His death: 11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of he dead.

Modern Technology

Well... here I sit in my truck in the TA Truckstop in Rogers, Minn. I've had an eventful couple of days to say the least. Anyway, God is really dealing with me about so many things these days. I honestly feel that it's getting close to time to pursue full time ministry. In the natural, I don't see how that could possibly happen, but, having said that, it leaves God wide open to show Himself big in this situation. I really got a big boost on Sunday. I was not feeling well and missed church. Later that night, three ministers who I hold in high regard came by to visit with me and pray for me. I honestly wanted to say, "are ya'll sure you're at the right house?" I was humbled that these three men would stop their day just to come and see me and encourage me. It just goes to show you, that no matter what we may think of ourselves, God loves us and wants only good for us.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (KJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

This tells me that if we have turned our heart from God in any area of our lives, that all we have to do is seek Him and we will find Him. God promises to deliver us from the bondage of sin. Praise God! I'm not just talking about the "big" sins, I'm talking about any area of our lives that is not totally submitted to God. God is ready and waiting to take us to the next level, but, the ball is in our court. It's our move. Father God, help us to submit every area of our lives fully to you. Please reveal areas of our lives that are not submitted to you. We give you glory and honor, in Jesus' holy name. amen.

Day Off

I got blessed today with a day off. This morning, I spent about an hour on the phone with the tech guy at Verizon trying to use my PDA phone as a modem to connect my laptop to the internet. We finally got it figured out. Now hopefully I'll be able to use my laptop on the road. There have been many times that I wanted to get online to post something on this blog but, couldn't find a wi-fi site. Wi-fi's are overated anyway. They are expensive and the signal may or may not be that great. In a truck stop, if you are not parked in the front row, the signal ain't that good. Having said all that, I hope to be more diligent in posting on my blog. Much to my amazement, I have found out that that there are people who actually read this. To those that are, thank you. God has truly blessed me in more ways than I can even imagine. My motivation in starting this was to try and improve my writing and preaching skills. My prayer is for all of us to continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus and to be effective witnesses for Him. God bless you.

A Conversation in a Truck Stop

I was sitting in the TA Truckstop in Russell, IL on Wednesday night eating my supper when the guy behind me asked "are you a pastor or a truck driver?" I told him "both". I wear a cap that says "Pastor Dan" and has a cross on it. This is exactly the reason that I wear it. We were both watching the news on the TV and discussing how bad the world is getting. Wayne is a truck driver from Maine. Wayne from Maine. I like the way that just rolls off your tongue, but, anyway, He proceeded to tell me his story. Two and a half years ago he was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils. He found the Lord as he was confronted with the fact that his life might soon be over. I was so encouraged as he related to me how his new found faith got him through the cancer treatments. His wife was so moved by the change that she saw in him that now she is a believer. They are searching for what God wants them to do with the rest of their lives. He said that he feels that God wants him on the road to minister to other truckers. All I really did was listen. I did tell him that there are a lot of walking wounded out there and they need people like him to come along and just give a word of encouragement and a pat on the back. Before I left I asked if we could pray together. We held hands and prayed there in the middle of the truck stop restaurant. This guy is a 250 to 300 lb, rough, tough looking man and God has softened his heart and given him a servant's heart. You just never know what the next minute might bring. Our job is to strive to keep our hearts pure before God and be ready "in season and out of season" to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ or simply give someone a smile and a pat on the back. God Bless you Wayne from Maine.

It pays to be nice

This morning I called Stanley Steemer to check if my contract had run out with them. I get a cleaning contract with them each year to save money. Well... I had spaced it out and it expired on September 2d. When the operator offered to schedule a cleaning at full price I declined and honestly I was a little short with her on the phone. I was immediately convicted and called right back to apologize. After speaking with another operator and apologizing, he put me on hold. He came back on and said that they would honor the previous contract and clean our carpet for nothing. He then offered me a new contract which included another 4 cleanings for $400. I ended up getting a contract for 5 cleanings for $400. That's a REALLY good deal. I am so thankful for God's Spirit that resides in me and keeps me in check when I want to act like a jerk.
Romans 12:18 (KJV) 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Having a good day

It turned out that I got the day off today. I've been having a Bible day. I just finished the book of Hebrews a few minutes ago. What an awesome book. It's all about how we used to be under the law and how Jesus provided a better way. Under the old law the high priest had to go into the Holy of Holies and offer a blood offering for our sins once a year. But praise God Jesus became the author of a better covenant. Hebrews 9:24-26 (NRSV)24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville The priest in Old Testament times had to keep coming back year after year to offer the sacrifice for atonement (payment) for our sins. The Bible says that after Jesus had offered himself on the cross, He went into the Holy of Holies in heaven and offered his own blood on the alter as payment for all sin (this is why the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died), did you get that? ALL SIN There is not a sin that we can commit that was not in the future at the time that Jesus did this. You see, God is not caught up in time like we are. That is why when Moses asked God, "who shall I say sent me?" God replied "tell them I AM sent you". God sees everything that ever did or ever will happen as one big NOW. That blows my mind. Anyway, enough of running that rabbit. I love what the writer of Hebrews said in Hebrews 10:19-25 (NRSV) 19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville Praise God we don't have to rely on someone else to reconcile us to God. We can boldly go to Jesus to confess our need for a saviour and for forgivness when we blow it. 1 John 1:9 (NRSV)9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Thomas Nelson: Nashville God help me to ever be mindful of what you did for me through the sacrifice of your son Jesus.

Catholic TV

I took a couple of days off work this week and I've been sitting here this morning watching the Catholic TV Network (Eternal Word Television Network). I watch it quite often as a matter of fact. One program was a video of praying the Rosary from the Holy Land. I was so moved as I listened and watched the images from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Then the Pope came on and had his daily mass in St Peter's Square in Rome. As I watched the faces of the people there, it came to me that these people are sincere in their devotion to God. They are on a holy pilgrimage seeking a spiritual renewal. I have absolutely no right to be critical or self righteous about my personal relationship with God. I watch my father-in-law and my mother-in-law and they are absolutely devoted to God. I have to believe that if anyone, including Catholics, is truly seeking a relationship with Jesus, they will find it. God said in His Word that if we seek God, we will find Him. I remember when I was in Nazareth on a Holy Land Tour that there was a Catholic Church across the street. I got up and went to the 0600 mass. As I sat there listening to the mass (in Latin), God's presence was so strong that I could barely sit up. I did not understand one word that was spoken, but God blessed me that morning in a way that I will never forget. In the same way, I do not agree with all the pomp and ceremonialism of a Catholic Mass but I know that God is so excited when we just want to know him. I love what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippian church. He had just given a list of all the reasons why he could consider himself superior or more qualified to preach. Philippians 3:7-14 (KJV)
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995. Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA

My first Senior Citizen Discount

Yesterday morning after eating breakfast in a truck stop in Marion, IL, the girl at the check out asked "are you senior?" I had to ask her again and she said the same thing. I told her I am 54 and she replied "you're senior". She was being nice to me, but it was like getting a bucket of cold water thrown into my face. That's when it hit me. Man.... I'll be 55 in three weeks. I have refused to grow up for my whole life but, now I guess it's time to grow old with grace. God told me about 30 years ago that I would not pastor until I was grey headed. I went and preached two "trial" sermons at a church that was looking for a pastor. The pulpit committee told me that I was too young. And you know what, they were right. I had only been a believer for a few months. I felt that I had it all figured out and I should be "Senior Pastor" of a large congregation. That was the height of arrogance. I would have failed miserably. Thank God I did not get that pastorate. It's funny because now as I get older, the thought of being senior pastor of a church scares me half to death. I was talking with a man at a delivery in Cleveland the other day. I told him that my heart's desire is to pastor in Tennessee. He mentioned that his father-in-law's church needs a pastor. I was immediately gripped with fear just at the thought of going to that church to pastor. It is an awesome responsibility. The bottom line is that without God..... I am an absolute zero. God help me to always remain totally dependent on Your guidance.

Nothing Cheap about Grace

A dear brother and my accountability partner, Rev Ted Keller of Whispering Hope Chapel (Transport for Christ, International) in Columbia, SC recently sent me one of his sermons. Transport for Christ is a ministry for the trucking industry. I was a volunteer chaplain there for three years. It is a wonderful ministry. They take trailers and convert them to chapels. They are strategiclly placed all over the country and in Canada and Russia. Each Chaplain is a commissioned missionary to the trucking industry that raises his own support. http://transportforchrist.org/

Nothing Cheap About Grace" 1 Peter 1:17-1:21 200234.serNothing Cheap About Grace:" BREBC Sept. 1, 2002 a.m.

Subject: SalvationTheme: The Cost of SalvationPassage: 1 Peter 1: 17 - 21

1 Peter 1:17-21 (NIV)
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Who doesn’t like to get something that is free? But we have become pretty sceptical. When we see something that is free, we tend to look behind the scenes and ask, o.k. but what will this really cost? My brother won a prize of a few hundred square feet of free carpet. But by the time they bought the amount needed to finish the job, plus other renovations it required it cost a great deal of money which they had never intended to spend.We love to emphasize that salvation is a free gift, provided by the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,”Yes, dear ones, salvation is a free gift provided by grace, but as the sermon title says, there is “Nothing Cheap About Grace”. Grace is “God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense”. This morning I want you to see The Cost of our Salvation: and I want you to consider the infinite cost of your redemption. Let me show you1. The Need for Redemption2. The Cost of Redemption3. The Plan for Redemption4. The Result of Redemption1. The Need for Redemption a. What is redemption anyway?The word redemption comes from the word redeem, and we are all familiar with redeeming something. It means to buy back, to pay the price of. If you and I had ever gotten into financial difficulty and had to pawn something of value, we would have the opportunity to redeem it when we had the money - we could buy it back by paying the cost plus the interest.The word redeem means "to release on receipt of a ransom, to liberate by a payment; to deliver from evils of every kind, internal and external." Several thoughts come into play here. We were born as slaves of sin. Our sin brought us under the curse of the law. And all the time that we were so sure that we were completely free to do our own thing, we didn’t realize that we were bound up under the vain lifestyle of our forefathers. The word means vain, useless, of no purpose. In other words, life lived without God, no matter how productive, still lacks purpose, because it is only for the here and now, and won’t bring benefit for eternity. And we didn’t know it. We had no idea what our true condition was. We didn’t have a clue about how enslaved we were, nor how impossible it was for us to escape ending up in hell.And so God set out to buy us back out of the slave market of sin; to set us free from our empty lifestyle, and to take us out from under judgement.2. The Cost of our Redemption: v. 19How are we going to be set free from this slavery to sin? We can’t escape just by an act of our own will. We are so sure that we can do it ourselves. If we need to overcome any addiction, we are so sure that we can lick it by just making up our minds, by exercising our will power. But even if we can succeed in stopping these bad habits, that still won’t gain favour with God. It still won’t earn our salvation becausea. Your corruptible nature cannot enter the eternal world.b. Nor can you be redeemed by any other substance. “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold” Money, good works, self sacrifice, nothing we can offer can purchase eternal life.Many years ago, the president of a uranium mining company in Northern Ontario was said to have given 2 million dollars to the church. Do you think that purchased his entrance into heaven? Not for even one minute. Corruptible substances have no purchasing power in the eternal world. God is not impressed with gold, or silver or any other substance. 1 Peter 1:18 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold, that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers;” (New International Version)c. Only the blood of Jesus is sufficient to purchase the redemption of any human soul. “...but with the precious blood of Jesus, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”- why blood? Blood speaks of the giving of the life. Without blood, the body cannot function. Without blood, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach your body. Without blood, your brain will not function. Without blood, you die.Blood represents the whole life of the being. So when blood is poured out as a sacrifice, it is the giving of the life. That is why God allowed the sacrifice of lambs and goats and bullocks in the Old Testament times. The blood of those animals was poured out on the altar as an atoning sacrifice to cover the sin of the person who was offering the sacrifice. But the offering had to be perfect: Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take [it] out from the sheep, or from the goats: - the lamb could not be a blind animal or lame animal or sick animal that had no value anyway. To atone for sin, it required your best.But, you know, don’t you, that the blood of an animal can never really pay for the sins of a human being. Throughout the centuries, millions of animals were slaughtered in sacrifice, but even the blood of millions of animals could never atone for the sin of even one human being. It was all temporary. These sacrifices were a stop gap measure until a sufficient sacrifice could be given.And the only sufficient sacrifice was the blood of a man. But not just any man - my life given for you wouldn’t pay for your sin. I can’t even pay for my own sin.No, not just any man - it would have to be a perfect man - a man who had never sinned. But the Bible shows that there is no such man - that every human being is born with a sinful nature.Not just any man - but the God- man.And so the Bible clearly shows that the life of Jesus Christ did not begin at conception as yours did, but that His is an eternal existence, together with God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit, that his coming to this earth was voluntary, in response to the will of His Father, and that He became a true human being but without the slightest taint of sin. As man, He lived a pure and spotless life, and so He was able to offer up His life as an all sufficient sacrifice. His precious blood was poured out on the cross, and that blood was sufficient to cover the sin of every person who would ever trust Him - all those people from Old Testament times who offered their lambs, and all the millions who believe on Him right to the end, until He comes again to receive us to Himself.Dear ones, this is the cost of your salvation. It includes his suffering the rejection of men; it includes all of the physical suffering of the cross; all of the mental and emotional and spiritual suffering of taking upon Himself the sin of the world as though He were guilty. It includes His suffering the rejection of His Father, and His suffering the full equivalent of hell for you, so that you would never have to face the reality of hell for yourself.Because of His sacrifice, salvation is offered to you as a free gift. You can’t buy it. You can’t pay for it. All you can do is to receive it as a free gift of God’s grace. But grace is not cheap! It has been provided on the basis of the infinite cost of His death for you.And so it is called the precious blood: most precious; of great price; held in honour, especially dear, and Jesus could say in Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. And Paul could urge Pastors to take care of the church which he has purchased with his own blood.”- the precious blood of Jesus Christ which is beyond valuation.3. The Plan for RedemptionNow was this all an afterthought on the part of God? Did God get caught by surprise by Satan’s temptation and by man’s fall?Never. Look at verse 20 “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you..” Let’s put that in simple English: “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”Do you hear what this says? It says that before man ever sinned; yes before man was ever created; yes, before God ever even carried out the creation of the earth and the universe, before any part of it, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit had already agreed upon a plan. Included in that plan was the creation of all that we see and know. Included in that plan was the creation of mankind. Included in that plan was the full knowledge of sin and its consequences; and included in that plan, before one thing was ever made, was the plan for Christ’s death as an atoning sacrifice. In fact, other scriptures show that before the foundation of the world God foreknew you, and planned for your salvation.Can you understand that? I can’t. But I believe it because God has revealed it through His prophets and apostles.4. The Result of Redemption1 Peter 1:21 “who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”Oh, dear ones, let us now ask God if it was worth it. In Isaiah 53 we are told that “He will see the result of the suffering of his soul and shall be satisfied” What that means is that Jesus Christ looking down from the cross, looking in His mind’s eye across the centuries and millennia of time, looking at all of those who would trust in His precious blood, and be saved for eternity, was satisfied. He felt that it was worth it.This is how you were saved, dear one. Through Jesus sacrifice you believed in God who raised him from the dead. This is what he desired. He desired that you would believe Him, that you would trust him, that you would commit your whole life into his hands. Sin could not hold Jesus in the grave, because God the Father accepted his full payment for your sins, and since Jesus was sinless, guiltless, the Father raised him from the dead and gave him again all the glory of heaven, so that your faith and hope might be in God.He considered that your salvation was worth His suffering and death. And God the Father, looking in full satisfaction upon His Son, was satisfied. He could never accept sinners into His holy presence with their sin. There will be nothing sinful or evil in heaven. But because Jesus paid the full price of sin, because His blood covered sin, then God can accept all those who trust Him into His presence for eternity.So Christ was satisfied with the cost of your salvation; and God the Father was satisfied with the cost of your salvation. Tell me, are you satisfied with the cost of your salvation? Have you grasped it? Have you rejoiced in it? Have you responded to it? For if you are a child of God, you will spend eternity glorying in the wonders of your salvation as it says in Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”Yes, in heaven, if you are a true child of God, you will join the multitudes in praise and adoration and worship of Jesus Christ for your salvation. But why wait till heaven. The Lord Jesus didn’t pay the cost of your salvation, just so you could worship Him in heaven, but so that you could live for Him right here on this earth, and right now in the flesh. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”Dear ones, are you living in such a way that your life is showing forth the glory of God and the wonder of His grace? Dear friends, I say to you again, after what it cost Jesus to provide for you a full salvation, please value the grace of God. There’s nothing cheap about grace. Amen. Now, there may be someone hearing or reading this message who has never really trusted Christ as your Saviour and Lord. You are interested; you are able to understand that it was what Christ did on the cross that provides salvation for you, but you have never really known how to respond. And so you are not sure if you truly belong to Him or not.If that is the case, let me lead you in a simple prayer. In your heart, pray with me:Dear Father, I come to you to receive your son Jesus Christ as my own Saviour and Lord. I thank you for sending Jesus from heaven to earth to die for my sin. I acknowledge that I do not deserve your favour. I thank you that the Lord Jesus did die on the cross for me. I thank you that he paid the full penalty of all my sin and guilt. I thank you for accepting His sacrifice, and raising him from the dead. I ask you now to forgive all of my sin, and give me eternal life. Come into my life, I pray, and live in my life. Give me faith to believe and to trust in your Son Jesus, for ever, so that I may live for you here and that I may go to be with you for all of eternity. In Jesus name,

Steps to Peace with God

BGEA: Spiritual Help: Steps to Peace with God

I've been looking for a simple way to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Following is what I found at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Web Site. I contacted them and got permission to post this on my BLOG. I've also included a link to their website. Be Blessed!

Step 1: God's Purpose: Peace and Life

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life—abundant and eternal. The Bible says ...

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
—Romans 5:1 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
—John 3:16 (NIV)

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
—John 10:10 (NIV)

Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?

Step 2: The Problem: Our Separation
God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from GodThe Bible says ...

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
—Romans 3:23 (NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Our Attempts to Reach God. People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God ...The Bible says ...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
—Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
—Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

No bridge reaches God ... except one.

Step 3: God's Bridge: The Cross
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.The Bible says ...

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."
—1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

" For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
—1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
—Romans 5:8 (NIV)

God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.

Step 4: Our Response: Receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.The Bible says ...

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
—John 1:12 (NIV)

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
—Romans 10:9 (NIV)

Where are you? Will you receive Jesus Christ right now? Here is how you can receive Christ:

1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

8 Things you didn't know about me

I was tagged to do this so... here goes. This is what I used to look like.

1. I was co-captain of the football team in high school. Believe it or not, I used to be very athletic.

2. When I was a kid I thought that I would end up being either a doctor or a preacher. Doctor's mistakes die, preacher's mistakes just might end up in hell. Being a pastor is the crowning achievement of my life.

3. God gifted me with musical talents and abilities. I never really had to work at playing drums. The first time I sat down behind a drum set, I played them, it was just in me. Guitar is another story all together. I really, really, really like to play drums. I would love to be playing in a Christian Rock Band but, that's not where God has me planted for now.

4. I have always been a better than average singer. I took a music theory class a few years ago and was told that I have perfect pitch.

5. I felt God's call to the ministry before I was born again. I have memories of being very young and looking through my mother's Bible and could feel God speaking to my heart. God told me shortly after I got saved that I was to go to school and pursue a Doctorate in Divinity. At almost 55 I don't see that happening, but, you never know.

6. I have two grandchildren (Brennen age 10 and Lauren age 5) in Tennessee that I REALLY miss. If I had my way, I would go to Tennessee and pastor a church tomorrow. OH by the way, my grandchildren call me "papaw big truck".

7. Contrary to what most people think about me, I do NOT like being a truck driver. It's just a means to an end and I have had just about enough. It's frustrating not being as involved in church as I would like to be.

8. I'm amazed that I survived a career in the military since I always have questioned authority and don't do well with the "because I told you to" leadership style. So... I stayed in trouble for 20 years.

I'm supposed to tag six other people who read this and have a blog. I only know one other person that has a blog and you tagged me.

In a moment in the twinkling of an eye

I've had an interesting week. On Sunday, I had a low blood sugar episode which incapacitated me for the day. At 1 am Monday morning lightning struck our apartment building. As I was laying there thinking about what had just happened, God brought this to mind. Matthew 24:27 (KJV)27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then to really drive the point home, yesterday (Tuesday) while driving back to work after going to get some lunch, a pick-up truck drove across two lanes of traffic at a red light just in time to hit me. I did not see him coming until he hit me. I went to the doctor today because I have pain only to find out now I am the proud owner of a brand new hernia. The events of this week have driven home the reality that Jesus could return or my fragile life could be taken away in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. The reality of it is that we are one heartbeat from eternity. I've been a believer for 34 years and I really don't think much about Jesus' return. I've had to repent. Our job is to tell a lost and dying world the gospel of Jesus Christ. I recently had spoken over me that I was anointed to preach that:

1. Jesus really did come to this earth.
2. He really did die for our sins.
3. He really is coming back. and finally
4. (added by me) There really will be a judgement and all who have not accepted Jesus' payment for our sins will be judged and spend eternity in Hell.

Also today as I was filing a claim with the insurance company of the man that hit me, the lady that I was talking to thanked me for being so polite. She said that I had a "different spirit" about me. I told her that I am a pastor and as I was about to hang up I said "God bless you". As I was hanging up, I heard her say "I need that". I immediately called her back and asked her if there was anything that she wanted to pray about. She told me that her and her husband were searching for meaning in their life and that they really wanted to know what God's purpose is for them. I am so blessed to have been able to pray with her on the phone and encourage her. She told me that she knew that it was not a coincidence that she was the one assigned to handle my case. I told her that we had talked by Divine appointment, not coincidence and that God loves her and her husband enough to allow these circumstances to happen so that we would have that conversation. We had a genuine encounter with Father God. It's humbling to know that while I'm worrying about my car, there are people walking around with no hope. It put things into perspective for me.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (KJV)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O gravec, where is thy victory? 56 † The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

God and Golf

In July I went to our Annual Pastor's Conference in Columbus, OH. On Friday afternoon, we had a golf outing. I went but backed out because I didn't have a clue what to do. Since I returned I have purchased a set of golf clubs on EBAY. I figured since I had clubs, I should take some lessons. I'm usually good at what ever I do. Well... I've found something that I'm not good at. Golf. Of course, I guess I should give it a little time. I took my first lesson on Saturday. It occurs to me that it's going to take a LOT of practice for me to be even fair at this. Our next Pastor's Conference is next July. I'll be ready to play golf next year. Our walk with God is very similar. The more time and effort I'm willing to put into my walk with God, the more I will get out of it. Not that I believe that I can work my way into God's favor. Nothing could be further from the truth. When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, that was all that was needed to be seen by God as righteous. As with my relationship with my wife (smoochie), we entered into our marriage on December 14, 1991. It is our express intention for this marriage to be the only marriage for us until we go on to glory. Even though I know that she loves me, there are certain things that I will not do because I do not want to damage our relationship. This takes discipline and practice. It is the same with my relationship with God. I don't strive to live a holy life out of fear. I do it because I don't want to damage my relationship with God the Father. There are things that I work at, prayer, Bible Study, etc... to keep my relationship with Father God alive. It is my prayer for you that you will continue to grow in your relationship with God. Not out of fear, but because you want to be closer to your daddy and be changed from the inside out into His image. We have the assurance that if our relationship with God is not where it once was or should be getting to, we can go back to the basics and improve it. As with golf, if I listen to my teacher and do the things he's telling me to do, the correct way, I will see results. God is saying the same thing to us, go back to the basics and work on your relationship.

Help me be the man my dogs think I am

Dogs are great! They are always ready to think the best of you. They are loyal no matter how you treat them. We have two Pomeranians and they are my little buddies. When I come in from the road sometimes I think their little tails are going to fly off. To them I am the greatest person in the world. They love me unconditionally. I heard a christian comedian (Ken Davis I think) say a few years ago that he prays every morning "God please let me be the man my dog thinks I am." It's funny but, you know, there is truth in that. I want to be the man that people can approach without feeling criticized or condemned. All dogs want is to be loved and fed. There are a lot of hurting people out there. What they need is to know that God loves them no matter who they are or what they have done.

A conversation in a truck stop

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting in a truck stop in Missouri and there was a guy sitting across from me that had one arm and one eye missing. I sat there and talked with him as he told me stories about when he was a truck driver. I realized that I was seeing the story that I had written about just the other day. A grounded truck driver that is no longer on the road. It really touched my heart. After he left, I was sitting there praying to myself and asking God, "why does it have to be so different in here than it is in church?" God spoke to my heart and said "I am ready to show My power right here, it's you that I'm waiting for to step out in faith and expect Me to move." It was not in a condemning way but, God in His love was telling me that He is waiting for us to step out and believe that He will move. I really care for those truck drivers out there and I pray that God will help me to be more bold in speaking for HIM!

God's Grace

I woke up yesterday morning from a dream. God was speaking to my heart and I will never forget it. It was a very short, succinct word. Over and over in my mind I kept hearing that all of the grace that we will ever need from God was poured out on the cross when Jesus died for our sins. I know this is simple truth but, a truth that we need to hear from time to time. It's easy to get so caught up in life that we forget these basic truths. In 2 Timothy 2:1 Paul wrote "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." This describes the unlimitable, immeasurable and infinite grace of God that is always there. Our responsibility is to step into that grace by faith. There is not a sin that I could ever commit that was not in the future when Jesus gave his life for ME!

My daddy and his daddy were truck drivers.

I stopped in a truck stop in Georgia a few years ago and found this on the back of the menu. I was so touched by it, I offered to buy the menu. The waitress graciously gave me the menu. I'm a third generation gear jammer and this is a story worth repeating.

My Daddy is a Truck Driver, By Dan Baker
It was sharing time in Sunday School Class, what does your daddy do? One boy’s dad was a Doctor and another one’s was a CPA. The teacher said “Their daily bread was bought with their daddy’s pay.” Then the teacher looked at the little boy and could tell he was about to cry, so the teacher figured something must be wrong. He quickly asked him why? The little boy replied with tear filled eyes, ya’ll have all the luck. All your daddies are rich; they drive big cars and have important jobs. My daddy just drives a truck! The teacher spun his chair around and grimly faced that class. He said yes I’ve taught you well, but I will burn in hell, before I’ll let that statement pass. You kids see me as a Sunday school teacher, just a cripple with a lesson plan, but down inside these twisted legs are the bones of a Truckin Man. I was a high Rollin, hammer stompin, Dude till the ice on Interstate 10 took the finest old rig that a bank ever bought to the bottom of the Rio Grande. There isn’t much to tell about what came next, except the ole wheel chair I ride, and now and then I teach this class so the Good Lord will know I tried. And I tried young fellows, I tried real hard just to pay for all I done, but I’m going to close this Good Book now and I’m going to talk to this truckin man’s son. He’s a trucking man, boy do hear me? Don’t give me that hang dog look, your daddy is a gear jamming king of the road. He’s a winner in any man’s book. Who feeds you kid? Does a grocery store or the fast food joint down the street, or does some eighteen wheeler running all night long bring home every bite you eat? There ain’t a thing you’ll use today that some ole trucker didn’t bring. Somebody’s daddy rode all night long so you can do your thing, this country’s thing, this whole thing rolls on wheels. We are kept alive by these men that drive, these men that God made out of steel. You just can’t jam gears for thirty years without learning a thing or two. If a country don’t move, then a country don’t eat, and son that brings me back to you. The next time you talk about your daddy, you understand son, you’re talking about the Man. You’re the son of a hard headed, proud thinking, Hoss who just doesn’t fit in most folk’s plans. So don’t tell me your daddy is just a trucker. He is the man that takes this country where it goes, and I just hope that somewhere down inside, that someday you will feel that pride that I used to feel pushin that ole road. The teacher seemed to lose his concentration. You could see the memories flooding through his brain, his eyes were fixed a million miles from where he sat there, as the driver inside slowly spoke his inner pain. He said, “I don’t know what they will ever say about me. Let them call me whatever they want to but more than anything write the truth upon my gravestone, I was a Trucker Man.” I ‘ll never know what happened to that teacher – just a wounded Angel grounded from the road. A trucker man that taught me daddy was the finest man that this truckin man will ever, ever know. Amen

Daily Scripture Confessions

One of the most powerful tools that we have at our disposal is scripture memorization. When the devil tempted Jesus, Jesus always replied with "it is written". It is of vital importance that we commit scriptures to memory so it no longer requires any thought but, instead when thoughts come against us, we instantly recognize these thoughts as not from God and us God's Word to disarm the attack. The battlefield is in our minds.

Psalm 119:105 says "Thy word I have hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee"

1. JESUS IS LORD OVER MY LIFE. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.

2. I AM FREE FROM THE CURSE AND THE BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM ARE UPON ME. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

3. I HAVE FAITH. Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have mad thee a father of many nations,) before him, whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things, which be not as though they were.

4. I AM PROTECTED. Isaiah 54:14 in righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

5. I AM WORRY FREE. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

6. I AM HEALED. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

7. MY THOUGHTS ARE ONLY GOOD. Proverb 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

8. I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

10. EVERYTHING THAT I LAY MY HAND TO PROSPERS. Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

11. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord.

12. I HAVE NO FEAR. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

13. I CAN RESIST TEMPTATION. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14. I AM THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL. Deuteronomy 28:13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments o the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

15. GOD WILL FINISH THE WORK THAT HE STARTED IN ME. Romans 11:29 for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Melissa

Today my wife (smoochie) and I were in the grocery store. As we were checking out I couldn't help noticing the girl who was bagging our groceries was named Melissa. I also couldn't help noticing that she was mentally retarded. I was touched by her for a couple of reasons the first being that I have a daughter named Melissa, whom I love with all of my being. The second reason was that although she was obviously really struggling to keep up, she had a very good attitude and seemed to be enjoying what she was doing. I made a point to tell Melissa about my daughter and how I thought that she had a really cool name. She just beamed that I would take the time to talk with and encourage her. It was a reality check for me to see her trying so hard to do a good job as people were all around her in such a hurry to just get their groceries and get out of the store. Smoochie and I made a special point to be very understanding with Melissa and thanked her so much for her good attitude. It was refreshing to see someone who obviously liked what they were doing. If for no other reason, God has put "special" people like Melissa on this earth to humble us. It also occured to me that He did Melissa a favor because she will never have to worry about her eternal destination. I believe she will have a place of special honor in eternity. God bless you Melissa.

An interesting thing happened to me yesterday

An interesting thing happened to me yesterday. After church my wife and I went to Walmart. I was still wearing my clerical collar and was amazed at how many people were openly offended by it. I'm not sure whether that stems from the controversy surrounding the recent events in the Catholic Church (of which I am not a member) or just plain Holy Spirit conviction. I am leaning toward the Holy Spirit conviction theory. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 the Apostle Paul writes that we are the aroma of Christ everywhere we go. To one we are the aroma of victory and to the others we are the aroma of God's convicting power. This goes back to early Biblical times when as the king of a conquering nation would return from his conquests, the priests would lead the procession back into town burning incense. At the rear of the procession would be the leaders of the defeated nation. As they marched into town, the conquering army and all the inhabitants of the nation would smell the aroma of victory! But.... to the leaders of the country that had been defeated, they smelled to aroma of death. The reason being that as soon as the march was over, they were to be publicly executed.

10% of our potential?

It's been said that we humans on use 10% of our potential brain power. Whether or not that's true remains to be seen. It's interesting to me that 10% is the exact amount that God demands as the first fruits of our income. Malachi 3:10-13 (KJV)
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroyc the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
So.. even if this is true, God can take that 10% and do much more than we can even ask or think with it. If I give God 10% of my income (which I do by the way), He promises in His word that He will pour out a blessing that I will not even be able to contain. That tells me that if I will give the 10% of my brain that I'm using to God, the same principle of sowing and reaping applies. Too cool.

Five Smooth Stones

As I was driving to church this morning, I was praying (or whining) you decide. I was telling God that I'm not sure how to be the man that I know He is calling me to be. There are a lot of reasons why I would be unsure, but the bottom line is, I am at times. God has been speaking to my heart this week about King David. Pastor Aaron has been teaching on David's life over the past few weeks. I have been thinking about how when David went to fight Goliath, he had five stones. It is our responsibility as believers to pick up stones for the battle long before the battle confronts us. God is saying that scripture memorization is the way of having those "smooth stones" for the battle. If I wait until I'm in the thick of battle to start looking for stones, I will not like the outcome of that battle. But... if I have hidden God's Word in my heart that I might not sin against HIM, this Word will come forth at exactly the time that I need it. David had also "picked up stones" before this in his fights with the bear and the lion. God had used David's previous life experience as preparation for this battle with Goliath. His self-confidence was where it needed to be. He knew that he could fight. When every one else was standing in fear, David only saw a "Philistine dog that defied the Army of the Living God". In the same way, I have had many, many battles over the last 33 years with many "bears" and "lions". So... if I do not use what I have learned from these battles, it is unbelief and SIN. Now... back to this morning while I was driving to church. God very clearly spoke to my heart and told me "you know that this is spiritual warfare and after 26 years in the Army and Army Reserve, you know how to be a soldier!" It's time to use the warrior mentality that resides in me. I'm sick and tired of this and starting now, NO MORE! As we used to say in the Army, "in the absence of orders... ATTACK!" 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (KJV) 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Well I'm driving a stake down here and moving into the attack mode. It's time to do as it's said in a popular Christian praise song, and go into the enemies camp and take back what he's stole from me.

Times of Refreshing

I have just returned from attending our annual pastor's conference. What a glorious time it was! But, it occurs to me that every day should be like this. Although it is great to spend time with others of like faith, we have all we need to have a living and vibrant relationship with God the Father. The only thing that keeps me from this victorious lifestyle is ME! My goal is to maintain a continous, real relationship with God. This means that, as in any other relationship, I must be willing to make sacrifices in order to keep my relationship healthy. There are things that I cannot do because it would damage this relationship. Don't get me wrong, 1 John 1:8-10 says
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 
The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 . Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA
What this says to me is that there will be times that I will miss the mark. But, Thank God for Jesus who through His infinite love gave Himself as the sacrifice for ALL my sins. There is no sin that I can commit that was not in the future when Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross for ME!

Mind Games

The devil has been referred to as the prince of the power of the air. There are people in the world today that go up into skyscrapers to do spiritual warfare. There is a group of people today that rent airplanes in order to fly over specific areas of the world in order to meet face to face with the demons that rule over that city or country. There are two words in the Greek that refer to the air. One refers to the higher air that is above the mountains. The other refers to the air that is about 5 or 6 feet off the ground. Just about the height of your head! This is the area that satan is the most interested in because if he can torment our minds and cause us to stop in our walk with God or not ever get born again, he has accomplished his mission.

2 Corinthians 11:1-3 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.(listen to me anyway)For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds (your thoughts) should be corrupted from the simplicity (liberty/freedom) that is in Christ. (KJV)

a. Satan wants to get our attention away from the simplicity that is in the Gospel. When the Word of God renews our minds, there is liberty and freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord there is liberty.

b. The word mind appears 95 times in the New Testament in 92 verses.
c. Satan wants to keep us so bound up in guilt and condemnation that we never fulfill the will of God for our lives.

We will be looking at five scriptures today: Acts 10:38, 2 Cor 2:11, James 1:14, 2 Cor 10:3-5, and 2 Cor 4:

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (KJV) There are two words in this passage that we will be looking at: Oppression and devil.

a. Oppression - This word is the Greek refers to the habitual activity of a wicked tyrant or king. This puts me in mind of communism. It also gives the idea of mental confusion - A mind that is under siege from an outside force. People in eastern block countries can spot an American by the way that we walk and carry ourselves. The people in those communist countries walk with their heads down and will not look you in the eye because they have been oppressed for so long that there is no hope left in them.

b. Devil (diabolos dia - penetration bollo - to pick up something and
throw it like a rock.
1 satan keeps throwing accusations and condemnation against our
2 He will keep on over and over and over and over until he can gain entrance into our minds.
3 How many times have you had thoughts just pop into your mind
and you are trying to figure out where they came from? Satan wants to get into our minds and give us a distorted view of ourselves. We read the Word of God and it says one thing about us, but our minds constantly give us another view of who and what we are.

Romans 7: 14-25 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (KJV The word devices describes a mind that is so confused that can no longer tell the difference between the truth and a lie. It also refers to the emotions.

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. There is one word that I want to look at in this verse. The word encticed gives the idea of a fisherman luring a fish out of his protective cover to take the bait.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

There are three words that I want to look at in this verse.

a. Strongholds - This word describes a fortress or a jail. If satan can penetrate our minds and make us believe whatever he tells us, he has built up a stronghold in our minds.
b. Obedience - Someone who is in a subordinate position
1 When thoughts come into your mind, bring them into captivity.
2 Satan would love to get us to believe that surely God could never use us for anything. The anointed one - When our minds are in subjection to the Word of God, then the anointing can be released into our lives.
c. My paraphrase of 2 Cor 10:3-5 For the instruments, implements of our host or army are not of the flesh or subject to the human intellect, but they are powerful as of those possessed of spiritual power to the demolition and destruction of the accusations that satan casts against our mind.

d. Satan wants to divert our attention from the simplicity that is in the Gospel. He does this by constantly coming against our minds trying to stir up our emotions. The habitual activity of the devil is to constantly hurl accusations against our minds. If he can get into our minds, then he builds a stronghold in whatever area he is oppressing us in. Once he builds that stronghold, our effectiveness in the kingdom of God is damaged or destroyed. He wants us so confused or discouraged that we have no effectiveness for the kingdom of God.
e. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but spiritual. It is our job to constantly renew our minds by reading the Word of God, prayer and fellowship with other believers. By this God is always at work showing us areas in our lives that are not submitted to Him.

CONCLUSION: 2 Corinthians 6:11-12 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (KJV)

a. God is speaking to our hearts. He has such great love for us!
b. When we allow our feeling of guilt; condemnation and unworthiness stop us in our relationship with God, the enemy has won!
c. God is saying to all of us, "The feelings that you feel are not from me." 1 John 3:32 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (KJV)
d. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
e. For he hath made him sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)
f. Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. (KJV)
g. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
h. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.