Don’t Turn Off the Light

            Devotional

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9

Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19

image courtesy of dreamstime.com/allein_info

It’s no secret… none of us like to be shown that we are wrong.  Let me be more specific… I don’t like to be shown that I’m wrong.

But often I’m wrong.  I sin.  I have pride.  I can be selfish and unloving.  That is my condition as a human being.  For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Jesus is called the Light in John 1:9.  He is the truth.  He exposes darkness.  He shines into it and reveals what is really there. When I read the Bible, I see Him, and His light shines into my heart.

When the Light shines in my heart, I don’t like what I see.  I don’t like the light to shine into my heart.  It’s like the back room where you’ve stashed all your junk for years.  “Let’s not go there!  Don’t shine the light there!”

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A Love So Great

            Music

I would like to let you know about Eastside Baptist Church’s Easter Sunday program, A Love So Great.

Come with us as we walk through the passion of Christ through song.

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A Fresh Look at the Cross

            Devotional

image courtesy of ministry127.com

True revival comes from a renewed focus of God’s people upon understanding and applying His Word.

There are times when our spiritual walk is dry.  Sometimes we neglect our walk with God and because of that haven’t heard from Him through His Word in quite a while.

One morning, a couple years ago, while I was reading the Word, I was in this state.  That morning,  God began a work of revival in my heart.

I was convicted about my own laziness in reading and studying the Word, and therefore took time to simply reading where I had left off last.  The place in the Bible where God spoke to me may surprise you.

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Heal my Heart

            Devotional

Ps. 25:1-2 “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.  O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

As I read this verse, I picture a man holding up his sick heart to God.  God is the healer.  He is the only One who can heal my soul’s diseases.

Lord, I hold up my heart to you, and ask you to heal my selfishness and my pride through the cross of Jesus.  Amen.

God – the Only Lasting Answer to Depression, Part 2

            Devotional

image courtesy of dreamstime.com/dmccale

I have had 2 people tell me in the past week that they are depressed.  I don’t think they are alone.

In a world with a declining economy, frequent natural disasters, and turbulent politics both foreign and domestic, it is no surprise that people need hope.

I am writing to try to be a help to someone who may describe himself/herself as depressed.  I went through depression as a teen, being clinically diagnosed with it.  I learned much through it and have seen the answers as to what lead to it and what rescued me from it.  God graciously delivered me from it, and, as the Psalmist said in Psalm 40, He has “set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.”

Let me give some practical advice to someone struggling with with depression:

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God – the Only Lasting Answer to Depression, Part 1

            Devotional

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:21-24

Update: I initially published this post with just the verse, but thought that this topic warranted some further discussion.

First off, let me say that I am sympathetic with those who have or are going through depression.  Having seen it in my family along with having experienced it as a teen, I know it’s affects are real.

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A Mind Defying Truth

            Devotional

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm 53:2-3

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

image courtesy of dreamstime.com

God, how can You look down on the almost seven billion people who are alive today, and see that every one of us turns from You in sin, and yet still love us with an everlasting love?

That Psalm 53:3 is true and John 3:16 is true at the same time reveals the indefinable greatness of Your love.

Every man sins.  Every man offends Your holiness.  Every man chooses to do what is sickening to You.

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A Song for Trials

            Music

I came across this song about a year ago.  It is written by Ben Everson and is entitled “I’ll Pray Again.”  It challenges me to keep seeking God, even in the midst of hard times.

It is an encouragement each time I listen to it.  Hope it is to you as well.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfIvJ_WeCDI]

Thank you, Ben Everson, for writing this song.

God’s Fingerprints on Our Services

            Music

I love being in music ministry!  One reason is because there are times in planning the worship schedule when it’s obvious that God’s fingerprints are on the service.

Flute and Music

Here’s what I mean.  There is a tension in music ministry that exists that every music minister is aware of.  (By tension, I don’t mean something negative, but I mean two principles that exist at the same time that could be thought of as opposing principles, but actually exist in harmony).  It is the tension between good planning and God’s providential hand.

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How to Use an mp3 Player to Grow Spiritually

            Devotional

image courtesy of bigstockphoto.com

Over a year ago I was in the market for an mp3 player.  On the day after Thanksgiving, I purchased a simple mp3 player, but it didn’t come for a couple of weeks.  I called the company I bought it from, and they had oversold.  I cancelled my order, and kept my eyes open for other deals on mp3 players.

I thought buying an iPod was beyond my budget, but as I kept watching the deals, I realized that for not much more than the other mp3 players, I could get an iPod Nano.  Then, the jump from a nano to a touch (at that time 3rd generation) 8 GB was not too much more, especially for the extra power the iPod touch has as a handheld device.

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