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Changes & Evidences

Posted on Nov 19, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: When Jesus takes up residence in a human heart, He changes it! Clear evidence that a person has been converted is witnessed by others, which results in a changed life. Have you been changed? Bottom line: Those today who claim they have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, and yet there do not appear to be definite changes, may be questioned as to whether they have truly been converted. Even those saved as children should have evidences throughout their lifetime of the differences being born again into God’s family has on them.

Let’s take a few examples in Scripture to prove this point.

1. Lydia was changed! (Acts 16:15) – “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

Lydia had the “could not help its”! She could not help but want her family to experience forgiveness of their sins and a newfound joy and peace that comes in knowing Jesus intimately. Her burden turned into a testimony which resulted in her whole family’s conversion.

2. The Philippian jailer was changed! (Acts 16:33) – “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

Realizing and repenting of going the wrong way, along with wrong living, this jailer was no longer ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matter of fact, he, like Lydia, introduced his whole family to Jesus. Are you concerned for your family’s well-being?

3. Peter, James, and John with the other disciples were changed! They were willing to die for their faith in Jesus Christ—of course, not including Judas Iscariot.

4. Mary Magdalene was changed. Seven demons were cast out of her. Her faithfulness to Jesus is recorded in John’s gospel. In fact, she was the first one at the tomb, even though it was empty with grave clothes, on the resurrection morning.

5. Saul of Tarsus, the Pharisee who became the flaming missionary, took on a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17). Traveling and spreading the good news was his God-given goal in life. Ultimately, it led him to Rome where he was beheaded as a martyr.

Conclusion: Remember, Jesus told the demon-possessed man in Mark chapter five, after he had had the legion of demons removed, to “GO HOME” and tell of the great things the Lord had done. With the definite and radical changes that take place in the believer’s heart (changes in our want-to’s) after being forgiven of condemning guilt, awful shame, and sin’s stain, one should experience a “NEW LIFE” with a “NEW LORD” followed by a “NEW LOVE”! Do you agree?

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese

The Book of Enoch

Posted on Nov 18, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Why is the Book of Enoch not included in the Bible? There are a number of books called the Apocrypha that are excluded from Holy Scripture. But why, one may ask? The short answer is that there was a certain criteria for each recognizable inspired writing, and the Book of Enoch did not measure up. By the way, the canon (the straight rule—66 books) was closed after the Book of Revelation was compiled.

Consider the following:

1. All Scripture in the Bible claims to be inspired (God-breathed) (2 Tim. 3:16) – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

The word “all” means every single part of the whole.

2. Jesus Christ affirmed the writings of the Old Testament, beginning with Moses (Gen.-Deut.) and the prophets, etc. (Luke 24:27) – “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Jesus, along with other biblical writers, quoted verses from other books and mentioned other authors—Noah, Lot, Daniel, Solomon, Moses, etc. The Book of Enoch was not mentioned.

3. While the Book of Jude mentions Enoch, it does not endorse the Book of Enoch, indicating it would have been a credible, inspired book included in Scripture (Jude 1:14) – “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.”

4. One reason the Apocrypha was not included in Scripture was because of its controversial content. A rule of thumb is that Scriptures would never contradict other Scripture.

5. There is a difference between fact and fiction (while the Book of Enoch has some interesting accounts, it also has some questionable things as well). Other apocryphal books do the same. Therefore, those books were rejected for inclusion in the Bible.

6. Peter verifies in his second epistle—refuting false teaching—how we got our Bibles (2 Pet. 1:16-21) – “We have also a more sure word of prophecy… knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Peter pinpoints the process by which we got our Bibles; i.e., holy men were “moved” (picked up and carried, similar to a sailboat being carried along by the wind).

Conclusion: God, the Holy Spirit, included what we have in the sixty-six books of the Bible. Apparently, that was all He wanted us to have. While it is permissible to read other writings—i.e., the Book of Enoch, commentaries, and other literature—keep in mind that there is a vast difference between Holy Spirit-inspired Scripture, which is inerrant, versus the potential error when written by mere humanity.

Love y’all,

Pastor Randy

A Big Turnaround

Posted on Nov 15, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Do you need a big turnaround? Have things been going against you lately? Are you disappointed? Discouraged? Do you need a breakthrough? Queen Esther and the Jews were desperate for divine intervention.

But please pay attention to the steps that led up to the big turnaround. After the big party thrown by the king, and the beauty pageant that opened the door for Esther to be crowned Queen, came the backstabbing plot concocted by Haman, the villain. Trouble was brewing for the Jews! Because of his bitterness, Haman hated God’s people and set up a plan to exterminate them. Evidently, he did not realize that God will not forsake His people.

1. Queen Esther is courageous when faced by evil forces! (Esther 3:5–6) – “And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.”

There is no doubt that the providential hand of God prepared Esther. Her background proves that. She had no mother or father. Is our Lord overruling in your circumstances as well?

2. Queen Esther believed in the power of prayer and fasting! (Esther 4:16) – “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law.”

A preacher once said, “We can do more than pray after we have prayed, but we cannot do more than pray until we have prayed!” Have you prayed according to the will of God?

3. Queen Esther was willing to die to her SELF! (Esther 4:11,16) – “And the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days… and if I perish, I perish.”

Dying to our own ambitions and desires is when we begin to get on the same page with God the Holy Spirit. Are you on the same page?

4. Queen Esther found favor with the King! (Esther 7:3–4) – “Then Esther the queen answered and said, ‘If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.'”

The key to the Christian life is to find FAVOR with King Jesus! (He is coming as the King of kings…) Are you finding FAVOR? If so, your turnaround is coming.

Conclusion: Esther experienced a big turnaround because she trusted in the God of the Bible. Will you believe that God can and will bring about a turnaround in His timing? Just as Esther’s faith was tested, so our faith will be tried and proven in the crucibles of life. Your turnaround is around the corner!

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy

Pay Day Someday!

Posted on Nov 14, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Everybody loves to get paid! Did you know there is a “PAY DAY SOMEDAY”? If you were to pick out three key areas for every Christian today, what would you select?

Here are some ways to fulfill your calling while accomplishing God’s purpose for His glory.

1. STAY STRONG in the Will of God because Jesus is coming soon! (Rev 22:12) – “And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Praise the Lord! That means not only do believers get to enjoy the bliss of heaven, but there will be rewards to gain according to this verse of Scripture. The word “reward” is μισθός (mis-thos’), which means wages, hire, rewards, or recompense. Think of that. Jesus Christ, who died and arose for us, will give rewards! When He comes, there will be a payday someday!

2. STAND FIRM in the Word of God because Jesus is coming soon! (Rev 22:7) – “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

“Blessed” is the word μακάριος (mak-ar’-ee-os), which means happy. Connect the dots. Our Lord is telling us that OBEDIENCE to the Word of God brings HAPPINESS! Isn’t this contrary to the world? While others are looking for happiness in a bottle, a pill, an illicit sexual experience, or money, Jesus says that when we submit and obey truth, that is what brings HAPPINESS!! Are you happy?

3. SHOUT OUT as a Witness of God because Jesus is coming soon! (Rev 22:21) – “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

The word “testify” is μαρτυρέω (mar-too-reh’-o), which means to bear witness or to testify. Oxford defines “testify” as: “give evidence as a witness in a law court.”

Can you give evidence? What about the truth of God’s Word? Can you give evidence to the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Can you bear witness that Jesus has forgiven your sins and is living in you? Changed you? Then SHOUT OUT!

Conclusion: Remember what we are supposed to do UNTIL JESUS comes: STAY STRONG in the Will of God! STAND FIRM in the Word of God!! SHOUT OUT to the world who needs God!!!

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy

Make Sure

Posted on Nov 13, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you sure you’re saved? Does God want us to know for sure? Absolutely! Is there proof? Evidence? But how can we know for sure? Peter, up in age, writes in his second epistle, refuting false teaching as well as confirming this matter.

Check it out.

1. What do we need to make sure? (2 Pet. 1:10) – “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.”

The word “sure” is βέβαιος (beb’-ah-yos), which means firm, secure, or certain. The word “calling” is κλῆσις (klay’-sis), which means a calling or an invitation. When used in the New Testament, it always refers to a divine call. So, God is the One who calls! Now, the word “election” is ἐκλογή (ek-log-ay’). Here again, this election is God choosing or divine selection. God makes the choice. However, since man is not a robot, he has a God-given responsibility to accept this choosing by grace through faith. Have you made that choice?

2. How can we make our calling and election sure? (2 Pet. 1:5-8) – “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“

According to Peter, these things ought to be in every Christian. The Holy Spirit proves we are His by manifesting these virtues in us and through us.

Conclusion: Peter summarized this matter when he wrote (2 Pet. 1:9) – “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

Are you making your calling and election sure?

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy

Testing—Testing

Posted on Nov 12, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Time to take a test. This is a spiritual aptitude examination. After becoming a Christian, we can easily fall into a rut. Unknowingly, we can just go through the “motions” in the Christian life. Even unintentionally, our heart can drift further away from a life of holiness. If that happens, pray and make the corrections. That is the purpose of this devotion.

Take a minute to see if this has happened to you.

1. Teachable spirit or know-it-all? (1 Cor. 8:2) – “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” (Prov. 9:9) – “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

No matter how much we learn, we should never get to a point where we think we “know it all”! Are you teachable or argumentative?

2. Proud spirit or humble? (1 Pet. 5:5) – “For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) – “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Do you know why God resists the proud? It is because the proud resist God, or at least think more highly of themselves than they ought to. Think about it. From birth, we are taught to look after #1—me, myself, and I. The problem is, when it comes to the Christian life, it is no longer about me, myself, and I; instead, it is about Jesus Christ. Are you finding yourself talking or bragging about all that you are doing? Are you touchy and defending yourself all the time because of pride, maybe even spiritual pride?

3. Judgmental spirit or broken spirit? (Luke 7:36-42) – “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

Simon the Pharisee “cleaned the outside” but left the “inside dirty.” In other words, he could see other people’s faults but could not see his own faults. Isn’t it interesting that we see other people’s sin through a microscope but our own through a telescope?

4. Unforgiving spirit or forgiving? (Eph. 4:32) – “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

If we have been forgiven for our multitude of sins by God, then we should forgive others who sin against or offend us. Have you?

Conclusion: How did you do? Usually, when taking this test, some slippages show up. So then, what should we do? Make the necessary adjustments—get them right! Move on!!

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese

Lessons from Judges

Posted on Nov 11, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Cycles. The book of Judges is called Cycles. Why? Because when the people of God (Israel) fell into sin, but eventually cried out to God for deliverance, the Lord raised up a Judge to lead the nation. Are we facing a parallel in our nation today? With the presidential election now over, what direction will God’s people take? Will Christians be more or less committed to Jesus and His Church? If history repeats itself, the Church and state will merge, thus creating a diluting effect on the spiritual climate of America.

Please pay attention to what happened to Israel.

1. A Nonchalant Attitude from an Upcoming Generation! (Judges 2:10-11) – “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel… and the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.”

All it takes is one generation that does not know or serve the God of the Bible. What do you think about the upcoming generation in our nation that has been indoctrinated into the LGBTQ education? Has the damage been done? Is it non-repairable? Is there hope for them?

2. The Big Test! (Judges 3:1-4) – “Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof… And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.”

Did you notice that our God allowed certain enemies of His people to remain in order to TEST them to see if they would be true to Him? Would our Lord do the same today?

3. Prayer Works if You Work It! (Judges 3:9) – “And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them.”

Conclusion: If the book of Judges is written for our (see 1 Cor. 10, the Church) examples, then we had better be more determined not to get slack or spiritually lazy, but instead be more committed to loving, living, and learning the truth of Jesus Christ. Just as importantly, may our Lord help us to be seeking, surrendering, serving, and sharing the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese

The Generation

Posted on Nov 8, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you concerned about future generations? What about your children and grandchildren? What will they inherit culturally? Spiritually? Is there hope? Joel the prophet writes during a time of tribulation for the nation of Israel, much like our situation in this nation.

Follow the steps that go downward but climb back upward.

1. Invasion of Satan! (Joel 1:6) – “For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.”

2. Intercession of the Saints! (Joel 1:14) – “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD.”

3. Intervention by our Savior! (Joel 2:1) – “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.”

The Lord will answer the cry of His people! (Joel 2:18-19) “Then will the LORD be jealous for His land, and pity His people. Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto His people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen.” Is this not a true picture of America? We’ve become a reproach among the heathen nations! God help us!!

Conclusion: Bottom line: (Joel 1:3) – “Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.” Go tell!

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese

Busy but Blessed

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you about the Master’s business? How can we be about our Lord’s work? Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). So, how can we “serve” our Lord regardless of our task? In other words, whether you are a homemaker (a mother), a businessman, a schoolteacher, or a student, there is a mission field for you. Are you fulfilling your calling? Your purpose?

Notice the life of our Lord: Here’s a pattern.

1. Busy but Blessed! (Matt. 9:35) – “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

That does not sound slothful, does it? But doesn’t it seem purposeful? Jesus Christ was intentional. Are we?

2. Burdened but Blessed! (Matt. 9:36) – “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

The word “moved” is a very powerful word. Furthermore, Jesus was moved with “compassion”! In our world today, there seems to be very little compassion—maybe anger instead. Once we see people through the lens of Calvary, then we become “burdened” for people. Are you burdened? By the way, that means not just for your friends and family.

3. Bold but Blessed! (Matt. 9:37-38) – “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

The harvest field we are in is ripe and needs picking! Let’s go reap the harvest. Be BOLD!

Conclusion: Fulfilling our purpose by being busy, burdened, and bold will bring BLESSINGS!

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy

Amazing Grace: Reaching up & out for Revival

Posted on Nov 6, 2024 in Devotions |

Introduction: Thank God for His GRACE! Here are 3 ways to experience God’s amazing grace, which should give followers of Jesus Christ “reasons to reach up for revival and then reach out for restoring”! Also, Americans, don’t forget—O beautiful… God shed His grace on thee!

1. The King Remembered and Showed Grace to Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9:1) – “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Do you know why King David showed kindness?

God showed grace to David—King Saul tried to kill him.
Jonathan’s friendship.
God’s unconditional covenant.

The word for “kindness” that David uses in this passage is chesed, which means goodness.
Do you show kindness or hardness?

2. The King Restored Mephibosheth! (2 Sam 9:7) – “And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.”

Think about it. Mephibosheth, who could have been murdered because of his ancestral lineage tied to King Saul, instead was blessed with land and property. Plus, his new address moved him from Lodebar (a ghetto) to the King’s palace. Feasts and food galore awaited him! What a contrast. If you think that is something, what about every believer’s inheritance?! Abundant life here on earth, but equally as satisfying, followers of Jesus can look forward to spending all eternity in the NEW JERUSALEM.

3. The King Returned for Mephibosheth! (2 Sam 19:24-25) – “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?”

Finally, David, the king, made it back to Jerusalem! Mephibosheth had patiently waited for the King to return. While waiting, he had not shaved his beard, or taken care of his feet, nor even changed his clothes. In comparison, when King Jesus returns, we will celebrate with the marriage supper of the Lamb! Also, when the King comes—not as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, not riding on the back of a donkey, not to appear before Pilate, but rather, He will come riding on a milk-white stallion with ten thousand of His saints! With a crown on His head, a vesture dipped in blood, and on His thigh a name written KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS, Jesus will come to rule with a rod of iron. His kingdom will be inaugurated as He sits on His throne in Jerusalem.

Conclusion: If these irrevocable truths do not cause every Christian to want to reach up for revival and then reach out for restoration, nothing will. Are you going to today?

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese