Archive / August, 2011

Hide and Seek

No One Seeks God – Romans 3:9-20 Opening Thoughts: I know this title likely has some of you a bit confused. Well, now that I have your attention, please track along while we discover that no one seeks God. New Ways: I’m not sure what your thoughts are on this, but I have observed over the past several years that the church in a general sense, has come up with some pretty slick ways of making new converts in a world filled with outward moralist’s but who are totally uninterested in the Gospel. We have studied the culture, watched the movies for good sermon analogies, identified with the music in order to draw crowds (in fact I know of several churches that open up their services to ACDC, Coldplay and Lady Gaga…. I’m not even kidding). We have become very good at making people feel comfy in a church, or [...]

Don’t Say A Word!

Opening Thoughts: Last night I blogged from Luke 9:18-20, if you haven’t read it yet it’s the passage where Jesus asks His disciples to tell Him who the crowds say that He is? Of course it’s no surprise to find out that the crowds really have no idea but only opinions. Then Jesus asks the disciples who they say that He is? Up to this point no one has actually addressed Him with full confidence that He is Literally God in the flesh. With that in mind, Peter blurting out you are the Christ of God is actually astonishing. Jesus confirms that Peter did not come to this accurate description on his own ability but it came as a revelation from God Himself. [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [...]

Are You Booked?

Are You in the Book: I’m not sure if you have ever been mentioned in someones book? Can you imagine reading a book from some popular author who you didn’t know and he/she mentions you specifically in it. That would be an amazing thing, in fact, you would likely bring that book around to everyone you know and show them that you’re name is in there. It would be a noteworthy occasion. We know that type of situation would never happen, if you didn’t know them you would never even expect to have your name included in the book, would you? What about if you ‘knew’ an author who was really famous and you guys had hung out and spent time together. One day He publishes this book on everyday life and what goes on. You eagerly buy the book assuming for sure you will find your name on the [...]

Have you Not Read?

Figure it out For Yourself As I was driving today I saw a van in front of me with a blaring neon yellow bumper sticker (stuck to the back windshield) that read “Try Jesus”, and that was it, off they drove evangelizing to all the vehicles around them that “Hey, if nothing else works, ‘Try Jesus’.” What happens when they “Try Jesus” and then their car gets broken into, or they lose their job or worse, their child? Of course Jesus is the only solution for all mankind, but if they don’t understand that their problem is actually their sin, then they will “Try Jesus” for the wrong reasons. I’m sure the driver of that van was well-intentioned, but it pays so much to tell it all, and not just try to condense the gospel to a couple of words on a bumper sticker. Figure it out with Help from [...]

Who Do You Say I Am?

Who is Jesus – Luke 9:18-20 Warming up: I’m starting to get on a roll. I quite enjoy writing and actually had no idea I could even do it until about 2 years ago when Danae and I felt that we should write a book. I picked up my lap top, opened up Word Documents and the Word of God, and started typing. Point is, I enjoy it and I hope there are a few people out there that actually enjoy reading it. The Overview: For those of you who have been reading my posts as I work my way through Luke you will realize that I just skipped the story of the feeding of the 5,000. To be honest, I wanted to study it but I was just pulling a blank and didn’t want to just write down fluff. So I skipped it (something I rarely do when studying [...]

Worthless Food!

Opening thoughts and Ramblings: Was a great day today, I had some really good times meeting with people that love Jesus. This evening I met with a man from our church who just lost his wife of 13 years to cancer. It was sudden and totally unexpected. He is now left to survive with 3 little kids, 5 yrs, 4 yrs, and 1 yrs old. As I spoke with him, I could not help but catch a glimpse of the pain he must feel. Tears welled up in my eyes as I pondered for a moment the thought of losing my wife, and how would my little babies do losing their mommy? and what would I do as their daddy? How would I explain the loss to my 5 year old? How would I help them find the hope of the Gospel to not only save them, but also bring [...]

Dusty Feet!

Shake The Dust Off Your Feet – Luke 9:1-6 Opening Thought: So tonight I continue my reading in Luke. I’ve finally gotten to Luke 9 and I will warn you to both brace yourself and take courage. The reason I say that is because this passage is somewhat shocking to say the least. What Jesus says between verses 1 and 6 are very controversial; however, as followers of this man ‘Jesus’ we should take heed to see how the first 12 students responded to his instructions.  Let’s see how Jesus tells us how to evangelize. Scripture: Luke 9:1-6 ESV … And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. [3] And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor [...]

A Wedding Invitation

Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Danae Joy LeBlanc to Shane Dale Martin Saturday, the 14th of July at 1:30 in the afternoon Banquet to follow Ten years ago our wedding invitation read something like this. We recently celebrated our anniversary and it just doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that we were excitedly creating a guest list, licking stamps, sealing envelopes, and mailing out our wedding invitations hoping that many of our friends and family would be eager and able to join us for what was the most important day in our lives to that point. Last night I read Matthew 22:1-14 where Jesus tells a group of religious leaders the Parable of the Wedding Feast. After I read the passage I took a deep breath and picked up my journal and pen knowing it was going [...]

Dead or Alive!

Opening Thoughts: Every time I open the Bible it’s such an amazing privilege knowing that in so many countries people are sought and even killed for owning this Book. Last night when I was studying in Luke on the story of the ‘woman with the issue of blood’, I actually did not begin there. I had started reading in Luke 8:40 about Jairus a leader in the synagogue that comes to Jesus on behalf of  his only daughter who is sick to the point of death. As we read, this passage shows how sick she really was. Scripture: Luke 8:40-42, 49-56     [40] Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. [41] And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, [42] for he had [...]

The Issue of Blood.

The Woman With the Issue of Blood – Luke 8:43-48 Opening Thought: So it’s been quite some time since I last published a blog post, and now here I find myself at midnight, after spending the past 3 hours alone with my Bible, typing away to the thought of how I’m so thankful that Jesus never stops bleeding. His blood is always there and it’s available for all who call on His name in repentance. Oh how I’m thankful for that! Where I’m Reading: I have been working my way through Luke’s Gospel. It has literally been all I’ve been reading and studying for about 4 months now and I’m about ready to finish up chapter 8. Call me a slow reader but I’d like to think it’s “meditating on the words of Jesus” and “studying to show myself approved”.  I find the more time I spend with God the [...]