Distinguished

"Our God is the awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power, and love, our God is the awesome God...", is part of one of my favorite songs. If you love the Lord Jesus you can definitely see why it would be so well liked. You see, His sovereignty, wisdom, power and love are just some of the attributes of our God that make Him different from the gods of others. Holiness, truth, and righteousness are a few more distinctive qualities that we could add to that list. These are all powerful concepts that we know are not naturally inherent in us. No, unfortunately, our claim to fame as humans in our natural state is that we are fallible, feeble, and sinful mess ups. We are born into this world as helpless, self-centered, babies with a natural bent away from God. The Bible teaches us that in order to break free from the death sentence of sin that we were born into, that we have to be born again which means we need to turn away from our sins by recognizing our need for God's mercy that is found in the cross of Christ. As we confess to God that we are sinners and need His forgiveness, He promises that He will indeed accept our plea for mercy and baptizes us into His body by the means of water in which we are pronounced clean and justified by Him. At this point we are given His Holy Spirit who takes up residence inside of us and becomes our connection spiritually to God. From this point on we have been distinguished as God's children. That word "distinguish" is defined as, "to separate or mark off by differences." Throughout the whole entire Bible we can see that there are always distinctions in the way that God deals with those who are His and those who aren't. There are many examples afforded to us in His word about God distinguishing between His people and others. One of the most well known cases is when God sent Moses and his brother Aaron to tell the most powerful man on the earth at that time, Pharaoh, King of Egypt, to let His people go. The Pharaoh, of course, was not interested in disposing of his enormous and inexpensive slave labor force. So the Lord declared all out war on this unsuspecting king. You know the story, how our God sent ten plagues against the whole land of Egypt in which he brought them to their knees with one horrific event after another, but the nearby Hebrews land and people felt none of the disastrous results of the war. Only with their eyes did they look and see the reward of the wicked. That sounds like a line out of a Psalm or something.(91) Obviously, the Lord made a distinction between the Egyptians and the Hebrews. Also, there are many times that the Lord absolutely destroyed evil nations because the cup of their sins had become full from worshiping false gods, but when Israel was found to be in the same predicament by turning from God, again they were distinguished and only disciplined for a time, not completely wiped out. One more example of being distinguished in the Bible is in Malachi 3 where the Lord says, "that those of His people who obey His command to bring all of the tithe into His storehouses will be distinguished from those who do not." They are promised protection from the "Devourer" and blessings that they will not be able to contain. Well, our God is the Almighty God and He changes not. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever according to the Scriptures which brings us to why I am writing this blog today. These times in our nation have become very unstable compared to what we are used to. It actually seems that the whole earth is being shaken by economic turmoil right now. It appears that no one will be exempt from the tragic whirlwind of financial losses blowing across the scene, but I would like to point out just one passage in the Bible that continues to bring us hope. Proverbs 3:5,6 states,"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." I hope you noticed that I said it only "appears" that no one shall be exempt from the uncertain times that we find ourselves in right now. At this point, I see where our God and Father needs to be distinguished from our job, bank accounts, education, and worldly wisdom. We need to know that there is a difference between what God can do and what the Government can maybe, hopefully, possibly do if everything was to go just how they guess it will. We need a promise from Someone who is sovereign, wise, powerful, and loving just like the one in Proverbs 3 to carry us through these trying times. You see, God is faithful, God is true, and God is the "Awesome God" that we can sing about and trust in completely. So, do as the Proverb says and be distinguished from the rest of the world in His sight by trusting in Him with all your heart and by not leaning on your own understanding of things as you see them. I pray this week that you have been encouraged and will acknowledge Him in all your ways so that He can direct your paths. Faithfully, your brotherdevon.

Rest Stop

Psalm 1 of the Bible is one of my favorites and full of wisdom and truth. As a matter of fact, I could take it one verse at a time and not nearly exhaust the content of it in a week or two. I do, however, want to discuss just a little about what the Lord showed me this morning as I meditated on His word. The 1st verse of this psalm describes how blessed, happy, and fortunate the person is who does not walk in the counsel or follow the advice of the wicked, does not stand inactively and submissively in the path of the sinner, and does not sit down to rest and relax with the person who hates God. It then goes on to talk about the fact that the person who delights in the study of God's instructions and precepts, as well as, the following through on His commands is well known personally to God. Then comes the part that I would like to talk about today which says, "they shall be like a tree firmly planted by the rivers of water, ready to bring forth it's fruit in its season." This verse is pregnant with meaning and life all by itself. First of all, the fact that the tree is "firmly planted" means that there is a Someone who took the care to pick out the right spot to place the tree where it would be most advantageous to the Planter. Secondly, there is a fresh source of life giving water very near to the tree to keep it vibrant and growing continuously. Thirdly, the tree is healthy and producing the fruit that it was intended to when it was so thoughtfully and carefully placed. Then I also saw, as I meditated this morning, that a good healthy tree planted in a strategic position near a fresh water source would look like a great stopping place to rest if I were a weary traveler needing some shade from the heat of the day. I just bet you can see that tree in your mind right now. Now, let's continue a little further and see what the author of this psalm really meant when he penned it. Remember that this verse started with, "this person shall be like a tree..." so we aren't talking about a tree, but a person. Have these verses been describing us? Are we strategicly and "firmly planted" by God in a city, neighborhood, workplace, ministry, and community? Are we near to that fresh water source or Bible-believing church where we gather with others who also are called by God to be trees of life? Are we producing the fruit that God is expecting from the tree that has so many advantages because of Who it's caretaker is? Are there weary travelers in our sphere of influence that need rest from the heat of the evil days and do we look attractive enough to them to come and sit down under our shade? I certainly hope so because the world needs to stop and rest every once in a while from the frenzied pace that our culture is forcing them along at and who knows, if we offer them Christ, they just might stay and become one of us. Earlier in the verse it said, " for us not to sit down, rest and relax with the person who scorns God", but that's not quite what I am talking about here. There it was don't hang out and be apart of there deeds, but here it is more like that they have so wearied themselves on the sinful life that they are ready for a Divine break and we are to be ready and in our place. Jesus said "come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Well, in most cases the seeker of rest does not know that our Lord said that so we must be the tree that tells them. The Bible also says that "we are to have a good reputation with believers and nonbelievers", which means that our lives should be so full of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit that anyone around us should find us easy to be with and comforting to know. So, I guess my thought for us to consider this week is really a question. Is your life like a comfortable shade tree where a weary and thirsty traveler could find a good Rest Stop? I hope it is because you were planted here for this reason during this season. May God bless all of you as you stand tall and firm this week for Christ. Faithfully yours, brotherdevon.

GPS-God's Power Sisters

In the Prison Ministry mission field we have an overwhelming task before us each day. I have worked many jobs in all kinds of industry fields, but never have I had a more challenging and rewarding position as I do now. As a matter of fact, I can't even call it a job because it is way more than that. It is definitely a "calling" from God. I could'nt do it on my own and if it were just a paycheck, I would'nt do it at all. Everyday is a new adventure into the lives of many people who are all over the charts in their understanding of who God is and where His word fits into their lives. There is no way that I can even enter those prison doors without much prayer and even more study. My whole life now is spent on the constant reminder that what I do with Jesus matters and is unattainable without His help and the help of so many others who also have been called by God. You see, we have got to reach what many have labeled the "unreachable." We have got to challenge everything these men and women have believed about their lives and God's place in it. We have got to do it now while they're in between old stomping grounds. If they keep living the way they were living because they keep believing the way they were believing, then they'll keep getting what they've always been getting. That's why I have titled this blog "God's Power Sisters". The sisters that I am about to describe are twins, not identical, but definitely inseperable. Our God calls them mercy and truth. I have noticed that there is a major unwritten rule down at the prison that holds firm between the inmates and the volunteers. It goes like this, "they don't care what you know until they know that you care." The truth is we don't have to convince them that they have sinned against God, man, and community. In many cases, they are fully aware of what they have done and do not need any extra condemnation heaped up on top of them. What they do need is someone to come in and faithfully seek to be along side them who knows truth and will deliver it in love. Proverbs 3:3,4 says it like this,"Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man." According to these verses, mercy and truth must be kept together. We can tell because of the, "Let not them, Bind them, Write them" statements that begin each part of the verses. To have the one without the other can be grievous to the heart of man and God. Where there is no truth there is danger and where there is no mercy there is damage. These two sisters are the vehicle (singular) that God uses to prick the conscience of a man. The challenge to the wrong belief with the promise of grace to follow closely behind. Thus, we have the "power sisters". To bind them around our necks is to give them the place of honor closest to our hearts from where all ministry should flow from. To write them on the tablet of our hearts is to have mercy and truth pumping the very blood through our veins that will supply every thought and action that we have toward all men everywhere. The result is great favor with God and the people God is calling to Him. Here are some exerpts from a couple of different commentators of old about these incredible "sisters". "Mercy and truth. These two, meeting together and kissing in the Mediator (Jesus), constitute the revealed character of God Himself; and He desires to see, as it were, a miniature of His own likeness impressed upon His children."-Arnot. "Mercy and truth are dear sisters, blessed companions in God, sweet companions in man. Mercy loveth truth, truth loveth mercy, God loveth both; and if man loveth himself, he will do so likewise."-Jermin. I certinly am glad that Jesus is the full embodiment of mercy and truth for without Him we have nothing. May God bless you and keep you as you go mercifully and truthfully into all the world this week. Thanks for listening and you can post a comment here on this blogpage or email me at Brotherdevon@peoplepc.com.

The Mission

Jesus said "go into all the world and make disciples of Me..." That is our mission because He is our Master. Well, He is if we are of the ones who have given our lives to Him and are seeking to be used by Him in Prison Ministry or any other ministry. Jesus was speaking to His disciples when He said it. I know because it is right there in the Bible for all to see. So, when Jesus said " go into all the world and make disciples of Me...", we should take that as He wants disciples making disciples. In Websters New World College Dictionary the word "disciple" is defined as a pupil or follower of any teacher or school of religion, learning, art, etc. In this case, the school is the Bible. The teacher is the Holy Spirit and we are to be the disciples. I don't remember where I read it, but I think it was in a commentary on Greek culture and there was a picture to be paired with that word "disciple" and I feel compelled to share it with you now. The saying went something like this," the disciple is the one who wears the dust of the Master's feet." Back in those days school was not afforded to most and certainly not the myriad of subjects that are taught now. No, this is a picture of an older man, probably a Rabbi with about 5 to 10 students sitting at his feet as he rests against a big rock or on a stool of some kind. The disciples are sitting on the ground around his feet listening intently to every word from the mouth of the wise man. Can you see it? Picture in your mind the teacher reaching down and scratching his ankle and then crossing one foot over the other for comforts sake. Can you see the dust being kicked up and then settling back down? Guess where the settling of the dust takes place? Right, smack dab on to the clothes of the disciples seated closest to him. Pretty cool picture isn't it? Here is another one. How about when the Master decides to pick up shop and move to another location? Let's say, he starts heading down the dirt path toward the valley so they can get some fresh water from the well. It's about noon and the sun is hot and there is a slight breeze blowing. Guess who is going to be wearing the dust of the Master's feet now? You've got it, the disciples that are following closest behind him. Now, let me ask some real straight forward questions if I may. Are we disciples? Do we have dust on our clothes from sitting at the feet of Jesus? Is there dust in our faces from following our Master as He leads us into all the world today? Have we made time in our schedules to sit down at the feet of Jesus and soak in his word as Mary did? Remember, Jesus commended Mary for choosing the best thing which was sitting at His feet. Oh, I pray that we will never quit being students of God's word. That we will never stop taking the time to sit at the Master's feet. That we will never stop following close behind Him as He leads us through life each day. Oh yeah, and that we will never quit teaching others what the Lord has taught us. I hope this has spoken to your hearts today and in some way reminded you that we never quit learning on this side of heaven because we are disciples making disciples. For that is our Mission. Now, may God bless you and go get dirty:) Brotherdevon.

In the beginning...

"In the beginning God created..." is how the Bible starts and rightly so. I was thinking these past few days about my beginning and would like to share with you what I came up with. My story leads off with "In the beginning mom was there laboring furiously to bring me into this world and that is after carrying me inside her womb for nine months." Even more stressful to her was the fact that she already had two miscarriages in her life before me. You know, come to think of it there has never been a time in my life when mom hasn't been there. Now my mom did'nt create me, God did. But she is definitely the vehicle that God used to bring me into this world. I am sure all of us know that there is nothing as special as a mom with her child. I certainly hope this is the case for you. It is for me and I would like to officially and publicly thank God for giving me the greatest mom in the world. Mom has surely been through great times and rough times with me, my brother, and dad when he was alive. She raised us well and was not at the time well rewarded for it. As a matter of fact, when me and my brother were old enough to start making big decisions for ourselves we completely checked out and went down every road we were taught not to. For years (seventeen years in my case) my mom had a son (me), but did'nt know him because their was some stranger walking around in his body. Still, mom was there. You see I went completely away from God and family and started living life for myself which led to a hedonistic lifestyle of whatever feels good do it. Still, mom was there. There is always a price to pay for that kind of living and it usually hurts the family of the hedonist as much or more than the one doing the rebellious living. I mean it, think about that for a moment with me. For the first 15 or 16 years of my life my mom had this pretty good kid with great potential and promise, and then all of a sudden without warning this gift from God is gone, out of his mind, chasing women, dealing drugs and all other sorts of criminal behavior. Still, mom was there. Without any thought about it except the occasional "what are you doing dummy?" that would pop up in my mind, I continued on with my lifestyle of fun and fame (yeah right). Still, mom was there. Eventually, my mind, body, and soul became so clouded by all the drugs and the stress of living the fast life that I was unable to make a good decision if I would have wanted to. Much less, actually think about what my life was doing to her and others that cared about me. Still, mom was there. I became this unfeeling, uncaring, unknown person barely alive and certainly not really living. It was too late now though because I had partied my way into a monsterous meth addiction. Boy, I sure was the pride of my families lives then. Still, mom was there. But God, was getting tired of it all and so was I. I just know deep down inside of me that it was the unending prayers of this wonderful woman that finally broke through and forced God to move in my life and bring a halt to the pain I was causing myself, her, and Him. Finally, I cried out for God's help and He listened. I got busted a couple of weeks later for dealing meth and it was the turning point in my life. Still, mom was there. Although, I am sure it caused shame to my mother, we all knew that something had to give. I gave my life to Jesus in prison and lived another 4 years clean and sober following the Lord. However, I wasn't in any kind of recovery and in a horrific moment started using meth again. Still, mom was there. There is an old saying in Recovery that "relapse is part of recovery." I don't like that saying, but in many cases it is true. Well, now I am in recovery and have been for the last two years. My life is good and guess what? Mom is still here. She would'nt trade me for the world. We are closer than ever and she deserves it. So mom, this blog has been dedicated to you. You are one super, classy lady and I love you. Thanks for still being here.

Getting Started

Well, this I hope is going to be an interesting assignment for you as well as myself. I certainly am nervous to say the least about sharing my life with whoever may be inclined to join the Lord and I on this new journey I am starting into all the earth via the Internet. I know that somewhere in the Bible the Lord says " do not despise the day of small beginnings." This I believe will definitely fit into that category. However, I also know that whatever the Lord calls a person to do for Him, He will bless and make it count for the benefit of others and the the glorifying of Himself. He is funny that way, but well deserving of all glory and honor that our lives can bring to Him. I think I would like to start this endeavor with the first line of the book written by Pastor Rick Warren called "The Purpose Driven Life" which says " It is not all about you." Of course, he is talking about our lives on this planet. Wow, I wonder if that is as shocking to you as it was to me the first time I realized it. I am still not sure I can believe it. If you would have known me in my life before Jesus or were in anyway like me and most others this is challenging to everything I believed and held dear as far as the way I did life. Thank God, it is finally starting to sink in and take root because my old ways and beliefs had led me straight into a miserable and meaningless existance. Spiritually bankrupt, depleted, lonely, depressed and even suicidal for a time. On my way to prison knowing that I was created for more than what I was. "But God." The two biggest words in the Bible by far. Because of these two words I have come to know the real meaning of Life. His name is Jesus. I have also come to know how to live this life well. You see, I am no longer miserable and my life is no longer meaningless. As a matter of fact, I am the complete opposite. I am full of life, purpose, love and joy. Thus, the reason I am writing this blog today. It is not all about me. When it was all about me I was in essence saying to myself "I am god, I will do this and I will do that and I will do whatever makes me happy." Trust me when I say that I was a sore excuse for a god. Now, that I have resigned from my previous position as god and let the real and true God run my life, things are well. Relationships are healthy, peace is steady, wrongs have been righted and life is good. Joy is my new life message. "Jesus, Others, You" is the Biblical acronym for joy and it is definitely a winning combination. I pray this has been the start of an ongoing vibrant relationship between us and that you have in some way been blessed by God's message to us today. Look forward to seeing you next week. Brotherdevon.