admin, Author at Christ Church

Ain’t No Grave! Happy Easter

Posted on Apr 7, 2023 by admin in Devotions |

Let’s get right to it. I want to take you to one of the most dramatic moments in human history. They place the dead body of Jesus in the tomb and roll an enormous rock over the entrance.

Then they stand back, look at their work, and say, “Well, that’s that. It’s finished. Ain’t no way He comes back from that.”

But early on Sunday morning, just before sunrise, the earth rumbles and the stone explodes outward. A light brighter than the sunrise shines from inside that open tomb. And what happens next is mind-blowing … Jesus steps out.

Now, what do you think He said? I can’t prove it. But I bet I know what He was thinking … “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. They said, Ain’t no way! But I say, Ain’t no grave!”

And, folks, can I tell you something? Jesus wants you to say that, too! “Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down!” That’s what Easter is all about. “They may say, Ain’t no way! But I say, Ain’t no grave!”

Dear Jesus, all we can say is … Wow! You did it! You walked out of the grave. You defeated death.

And, Jesus, maybe I’ve never really opened my heart to You … but I do today. I put my trust in You.

Please show up for me when I close my eyes in this world for the last time. When my heart stops and my lungs still, come, carry Me home. Even if the whole world says, “Ain’t no way!” I’m going to say, “Ain’t no grave!”

I pray this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Mar '23

Forgiveness Prayer

Posted on Mar 3, 2023 by admin in Devotions |

Mar '23

Lord Jesus, when people were at their worst, You were at Your best. That’s how I want to be. So, I’m going to start right now. My heart is open to your influence.

And now, let me ask you this: Is there a damaged relationship? What you’re going to do today is, you’re going to own it. It may have been the other person’s fault. Yeah, so what? It’s time for you to do what’s right. It’s time for you to take responsibility for your side of the relationship, clean up your side of the street.

Right now, think of that person and say, “Lord, I ask to You to bless that person. I pray for Your best for them. I pray for their happiness.” …. Pray that in your heart.

Now, ask God to take your heart and make it soft. When you have a hard time forgiving that person, think about how much you have been forgiven. And then, by faith, even though you may not feel an ounce of forgiveness inside of you, tell God you forgive. Tell Him you choose to forgive.

And, ask God to show you what your part is, what He wants you to do. Maybe a phone call, an e-mail; maybe even an apology. Ask Him what He wants you to do, then commit to doing it.

And here’s what you’ll see. Your prayer, your attempt at reconciliation, you doing the right thing – it may or may not change them. But it will change you.

Lord, we pray it all in the Name of Jesus, whose courage and wisdom inspires us, whose spirit and love lives within us, Amen.

Feb '23

Worry

Posted on Feb 3, 2023 by admin in Devotions |

Feb '23

Worry

Let’s be honest. Worry is our default setting. But Jesus tells us that it doesn’t have to be. Let me show you what Jesus said. Jesus talked about five of the biggest things we worry about in life. Take for example:

• Finances.
• Food.
• Fitness.
• Fashion.
• Future.

He says, “First of all, you worry about money way too much. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24) In other words, “Don’t obsess about money. Don’t be overly focused on finances. God knows what you need, and He knows how to get it to you.”

Jesus then says, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink (That’s food!); or about your body (That’s fitness!), what you will wear (That’s fashion!) …” (Matthew 6:25)

He said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (That’s the future!) (Matthew 6:34)

And what I love about Jesus is He doesn’t just point out what’s wrong with our thinking, He actually shows us a different way to think about it.

Here’s what He said: “The next time you start to worry … “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

The point is: Birds don’t worry. Now, to be clear, birds don’t just sit there either. They do something about it. Right?

And this illustrates a very important difference between concern and worry.

• Concern focuses on challenges and moves you into action

• Worry focuses on what’s beyond your control and results in inaction.

Very important. Like you might think your marriage is struggling, and you’re concerned about that. And so maybe you get some counseling. Or you’re concerned that you gained 12 pounds, so maybe you cut back on carbs. Concern focuses on challenges and moves you into action.

On the other hand, worry focuses on what’s beyond your control and results in inaction. It’s stewing without doing. It’s obsessing about something totally out of your control. That’s why Jesus said: “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)

Let’s pray.

Dear God, I’m one of those people who always battles with worry. There is something that is on my mind, and I know what I need to do …

I need to do my best and trust You for the rest. I need to leave the part that’s out of my control in Your hands and trust Your plan.

And there’s something else I need to do … I need to put You first in that area. To turn to You. To put my burden on You.

God, I do that now. I’m trusting You. I’m trusting You with my child … I’m trusting You with my future … I’m trusting You with my health … I’m trusting You with my money. I’m trusting You …

And whatever happens – even if the worst-case scenario happens – I know that You will carry me through.

Thank You, Lord. I feel better already!

I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jan '23

Peace of Mind

Posted on Jan 6, 2023 by admin in Devotions |

Jan '23

January 6, 2023

God cares about what you’re going through. God cares about your mental and emotional health. God knows that you can love Him and worship Him … and you can still hurt.

If you’re in that struggle right now, let me just say this to you …

Getting help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of wisdom.

I want to say it again. And I want you to hear it. Getting help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of wisdom. Don’t be afraid to seek help. Don’t be afraid to find a counselor to help you clarify things.

And, if you’re struggling right now, I want to help you … I want to help you … find your missing peace.

Let’s get started right now. And let’s start by building a foundation. What’s the greatest commandment? Someone once asked Jesus that. What’s the most important thing?

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

Interesting. How do you love God with your mind? Let’s talk about how your mind works. Let’s talk about the brain.

Your brain is actually built over time. It starts in the womb and evolves rapidly. What happens is the brain makes all these connections – connections that are called “neural pathways.”

For the first few years of your life, how many neural pathways is your brain making? Your brain is making about one million connections every second. Every second – a connection, connection, connection.

And pretty soon your brain gets more efficient and starts to think in patterns. In other words, once you think a thought, it’s easier to think that thought again. It’s like a pathway has been created in your brain so your thoughts can move in that direction.

The fact is … Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.
That’s good news if your thoughts are healthy. But that’s bad news if your thoughts are not healthy. So let me give you an exercise for building healthy thoughts. If you want to find your missing peace, let’s start here. Every time you have a negative thought, say these words: “I matter to God and His plan for me is good.”

What are you doing? You are overriding that negative thought. You are creating a new pathway in your brain.

• So, you think an unhealthy thought. You think: Nothing good ever happens to me. Override that: I matter to God and His plan for me is good. Something good is going to happen. This is all part of the plan.

• You think, I can’t handle all this stress … No, I matter to God and His plan for me is good. With God, I can handle anything life throws at me.

• You think, Nobody cares what I’m going through … No, that’s not true. God cares. I matter to God and His plan for me is good.

And when you focus your thoughts on God like that – instead of being focused on your problems – what’s going to happen? You will find your missing peace. Watch this! The Bible says …

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3)
Perfect peace. Not occasional peace. Not circumstantial peace. Not momentary peace when you feel good in the moment. Perfect peace.

Dec '22

It’s Never Too Late

Posted on Dec 16, 2022 by admin in Devotions |

Dec '22

“It’s not too late.” That was the thought that changed our Christmas. “It’s not too late.”

Maybe that’s a thought for you this Christmas. What would it take to make this a great, great Christmas? Maybe it’s not too late. What would it take to put a smile on someone’s face? “It’s not too late.” Is there somebody you should call? Is it time to bury an old grudge? … Is it time to invite God into your life? “It’s not too late.”
Remember the story of the first Christmas? There was no room at the inn. In other words, the innkeeper missed out on the first Christmas. Picture it! Mary and Joseph show up at the door. It’s after midnight. Mary’s in her third Trimester. Joseph knocks on the door. (Knock.)

“Yes?”

The innkeeper opens up the door. He’s in his pajamas, holding a lantern. The only sounds you can hear in the inn are the sounds of snoring. He takes one look at Mary.

At that moment, don’t you know what that innkeeper’s thinking? A pregnant lady? That could trouble. Suppose she goes into labor and screams and wakes up the other guests? And the baby? Babies are noisy. This is a motel, not a maternity ward.

So, he says, “Sorry, lady. Maybe try the stable out back. Might have been able to fit you in earlier, but now … it’s too late.”

The innkeeper missed the opportunity. He missed the chance to open the door to Jesus. But it’s not too late for you.

Jesus is saying to you today: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.” (Revelation 3:20)

Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. Maybe you feel His presence right now. Maybe you felt it during the singing of the Christmas Carols or when you walked into this beautifully decorated church. Maybe you saw it in the smile of a friend or in the eyes of a child. It’s not too late. He’s calling to you: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.”

Jesus is here now. Jesus is here for you.

He will never force His way into your life. All you have to do is open the door. It’s not too late!

Let’s crack open that door right now … with a prayer …

Dear Lord Jesus,

Was that a gentle tapping at the door? Whatever it was, I heard it. I felt it. It’s You, trying to get my attention.

I want You in my life, Lord. I do. Things just seem to go better when You’re a part of my life. So, I’m opening the door now. I’m opening my heart. It’s not too late to make this the most wonderful Christmas of my life.

Merry Christmas, Lord Jesus!

Amen.