Author: ForChristsSakeFellowship

Praying Powerful Prayers

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“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed.” – Exodus 17:11

In Exodus 17, the people of Israel were fighting a desperate war against the Amalekites. Moses took the high ground to watch over Israel and pray for them. As long as Moses kept his hands up and prayed, the battle would go well. If his hands fell, the Israelites would start to lose. So to help the army of Israel, Arron and Hur helped lift up the hands of Moses to keep him praying. In the end, the Israelites won the war.

This story held a lot for me personally as a Christian in today’s world. Our first obligation is to keep in close contact with God to know more about His will and what He thinks is right rather than what this fallen world defines as good. We come close to God through prayer, which is a dialog between us and our Lord. It’s where we find out more about Him and thereby find out more about the life we were truly meant to have.

Unfortunately, we all get tired sometimes. We may even hit some dry spells in our prayer and our walk with Jesus Christ. That’s when the rest of us need to be lifting those weary people up in prayer, and in doing so, we can all continue to fight the battle.

When we feel led by the Spirit to pray and talk with God, we are blessing those we pray for. However, when we feel dry and walking through a kind of spiritual desert, our prayers mean even more. It is those times that we don’t quite feel like praying that we have the most power in our prayers. We aren’t being led to pray, we instead do it because it’s what we ought to do. Those times when we are free to pray or not are the times that we really strike back at the devil the most. True freedom is not just doing whatever we want; it is being able to do what we ought to do.

You can’t have it both ways. Either we are working for God or the devil. Know that when you say yes to someone, you are saying no to someone else. The devil wants us to use our freedom for the wrong things in order to tear down the kingdom of God. If we instead use our freedom to further the help and healing of the nations, we deal a serious blow against his wicked ways. With every prayer, we can help change the story for another lost soul. We don’t always pick the right way for ourselves from day-to-day, but other good and faithful Christians lifting us up in prayer can make all the difference. So go forth and do the same for others, no matter what your day has been like or whether you feel like doing it or not.

Some people are concerned about what to pray when talking to God. I say that if you can’t muster up what you think is a solid prayer, then pray about praying. God likes honesty and knows what’s in your heart. And if you are in a situation that knocks you to your knees and all you can get out is the name of Jesus, take heart. The precious name of Jesus is one of the most powerful prayers there could ever be. He is our stronghold in times of trouble. Run to Him, no matter the circumstances.

Also, just because you had a rough day and maybe made some sinful choices, don’t think that God isn’t listening to the pleas of His children. Although you fail sometimes, that doesn’t make you a failure. God will never see you as a failure, even if you yourself do. God knows His own and is ready to be a good father to us, even when we aren’t necessarily ready to be good children for Him. No matter how strong we are or how holy we think we have become, we can always backslide if we aren’t careful.

The devil is a tough opponent, but one we are promised we will defeat as long as we stick close to Jesus. So don’t give up and don’t give in to the devil. And just because you and I may be preachers, pastors, or good professing Christians, don’t you think that it can’t happen. We can all fall now and then. It takes the prayers of the faithful to keep the rest of us in the battle. So please, you pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Together we shall be victorious.

God’s blessings to you.

DH

The Coronavirus and Christ

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Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, our lives in many parts of the world have been turned upside down. We are to limit exposure to other people and large gatherings, which pretty much forces us to stay in our own homes. However, this is not as much a curse as it is a blessing. Life goes too fast nowadays, so fast in fact that we rarely have time to spend with the ones we love and time to focus on what really matters.

Be not afraid. God is in control. He always has been and always will be. He is trying to clear our schedules and trying to get more of our attention than what we’ve routinely given Him. Just like the Bible says, God is not necessarily in the loud noises and ruckus. God is found in the still, quiet voice. We need things to be quiet for a little while so that we can hear Him and talk with Him.

This is a time of prayer. This is the time to come back to God. Relationships take attention, but in our world today, there isn’t a moment that goes by that we aren’t seemingly distracted by twenty things at once. It’s sad, but it sometimes takes something big for us to finally come back to God in prayer and repentance.

I remember back to September 11, 2001. Horrific events happened on that day, but it gave us pause. On Monday the 10th, they weren’t allowing prayer in schools. But on Tuesday the 11th, there wasn’t a school around that wasn’t praying. on Monday, people were leading their lives and not thinking about God or eternity. But on Tuesday the 11th, people were clamoring to get into a church. America was a country divided on Monday, but on Tuesday Americans were standing as one. Unfortunately things went with the worldly flow and eventually jerked back into the hectic workaday life that it has become recently. We now long for Facebook friends and “likes” rather than companionship and love. How quickly we forget.

Honestly, we needed another pause moment to get our minds back where it belongs. On God, on family, on love and what really matters in the long run for each of us. I’m truly sorry this happened and that it is affecting so many peoples lives in a terrible way, but don’t let this time go by and have nothing to show for it. I pray this ends quickly, but I also pray that we learn from this circumstance.

This coronavirus is wreaking havoc in the world and we need to stay vigilant, but don’t let fear and panic overtake your lives. Let this situation bring you focus. Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for our sins. It was the most horrible of evils, but it brought about the greatest of goods through it. Our salvation is brought about from that cross. All of our own sins and evils were taken away and nailed to it. Now it is time for us to nail to the cross our former ways. Everything that took our minds and hearts away from our families and especially from Jesus needs to be nailed to that cross. And when we look back on this time in our history, we shall see it for what it is, a turning point where we decided that it is better to pursue the good and everlasting rather than the fleeting.

The Bible says that God will use all things for the good of those who love Him. All things means just that, ALL THINGS, even viruses. Turn to Jesus. Live for Him. Now’s the time!

God’s blessings to you.

DH

What is the Best Bible to Use? – Since You Asked Q.5

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105

With numerous translations of the Bible out there, it can be pretty confusing as to which one to use. Is one better than another?

In short, the best Bible to use… is one you use! In other words, find a Bible and pick it up. Some of you may have to knock the dust off of it, but pick it up and start reading.

Remember that every translation is a little deficient in some ways, but still points towards one thing, Jesus Christ. There is an old saying that says “the translator is a traitor”. Not on purpose, but it is not easy to translate faithfully and still keep the original wording. In every translation you lose a little something from the original. Some are closer than others however.

I was raised on the King James Version and still read it as my main source of scripture. If you are just starting out or find it hard to understand all of the older style of language, then a newer translation like the New Living Translation or the Contemporary English Version may be more to your liking. Still yet, if you want the closest thing to the original Greek and Hebrew wording, an Interlinear Bible would be great. They are all good in their own ways, but some are more akin to your understanding, especially at different points in your Christian journey.

For most Christians, it is easier to start reading in the New Testament so that you gain an understanding of Jesus and His thoughts and actions. if you start in the Old Testament, especially around the Leviticus and Numbers areas, it tends to bog down and not flow very well due to it being deeper in history and details. That being said, once you gain more and more understanding of Jesus in the New Testament, the Old Testament is more understandable. The whole of scripture points towards Jesus Christ, and you can see Him in different situations in the Old Testament. Either way, get a Bible and read. Like the Apostle Paul said, all scripture is good for teaching, for correction and for training in righteousness.

Also, don’t worry about memorizing Bible verses. You will naturally pick up some verses that speak more clearly to you for a given situation. Instead, just focus on truly listening to what is contained in the Bible. If you wonder about God and what He has to say, then just start reading. You aren’t going to understand it all, but you’ve got to start somewhere. In fact, before even picking up the Bible, pray to God that He will help you really get what He has to tell you. He will help you, I promise. Who better to help you read the Bible than the one who wrote it?

If you are interested in somebody, you will want to know more and more about them. God loves you. He loves you so much that he sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for you and your sins. Get interested in God. Your faith and understanding will grow the more that you listen to Him and read the Bible, the Holy Word of God.

God’s blessings to you.

DH

The Lord Has Need Of It

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“If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” – Luke 19:31

We are all unique and each of us are a singular blessing to this world. There are not even two sets of fingerprints alike, even among identical twins. If we are so special, why do we let ourselves get caught up in daily drama and the so-called rat race? Aren’t we meant for more than a hum-drum life that doesn’t amount to anything?

The Bible says that you are God’s masterpiece and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. The same creator of the universe created each of us. It wasn’t by some chance or some cosmic ‘oops’, but purposeful. You are here for a glorious reason. That reason, in a single word, is love.

Jesus loves you! All of your goods and bads, all of your wins and losses, all of you is loved completely. It’s so hard for us to forget that or to dismiss it, especially in the face of what goes on in this world. This world is full of hard knocks, full of hate and disgust. That’s all the more reason why you must keep the love of Jesus Christ in your heart, so that it may be poured out upon this sick and sinful world.

This dying world needs hope. It needs to know that the suffering is not for nothing. God ensures that nothing you go through is for nothing. God will use it all. If you have gone through such things as drug or alcohol abuse, then you are specially equipped to be able to witness to someone about the dangers and evils of drugs or alcohol abuse. If you know what it’s like to be homeless, then you are well-abled to lift up the spirits of the homeless and to truly help them because you know that their needs are not just physical, but emotional and mental as well.

Do not let this life take you away from your true calling. When you look at yourself in the mirror, remember that God has a plan and that it involves you. You are meaningful. You are special. Nobody is equipped to do the things that God has in store for you. So don’t let an angry boss or a bad day in traffic steal away Christ’s message from your heart. You are called to share the love of Jesus Christ. When this world ties your soul down, away from it’s true calling, just look at yourself in the mirror and say, “The Lord has need of it.” You are redeemed to share the love of Jesus Christ today and forever.

God’s blessings to you!

DH

Preaching Excerpt From My Dad’s Funeral

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I’ve been blessed to preach the Word of God to many people. The toughest times I’ve had were funerals, especially ones of my own family, but by far the hardest was when I ministered the funeral of my own dad. Here is an excerpt from that emotionally stressful, but joyous occasion. I miss him terribly.

God’s blessings to you.

DH

Easter Eggs and Other Supposedly Pagan Items – Since You Asked Q.4

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“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

There are questions occasionally as to whether a Christian should have Easter eggs, Christmas trees, Halloween costumes, and other such things because they may have been adopted from historically pagan rituals. While there is some evidence to show that we have inherited some things from summer and winter festivals, for instance, we need to look at what they represent now.

For starters, the ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Phoenicians all believed the world began from an enormous egg. That’s how they thought of life back then; eggs equaled life. We Christians adopted such metaphors as a simple to understand symbol for the life and rebirth of Jesus Christ.

The Christmas tree has a bit more shrouded origin, in that it may or may not have been used for a winter festival. In fact, the traditional celebration for the date of Christ’s birth was right around the same timeframe as the winter solstice. Pagan celebrations abounded around such times.

These kinds of things are historical, although maybe a bit cynical, to point out about some of the Christian celebrations we hold dear. However, the Christian shouldn’t shy away when a non-Christian brings these ideas up. These ideas are things to be embraced for multiple reasons.

First off, early Christians had a soft spot in their hearts for pagans. After all, the Great Commission given to us by Jesus Himself says to make disciples. It’s hard to make a disciple when you only hang out with other Christians. That holds just as true today. No Christian church or group should be a members only club! You are not trying to smuggle Jesus into Heaven or keep Him for yourself. There’s plenty of Jesus Christ for everybody. Go forth into the world, and as you are going, you’d better be sharing the Gospel.

Another thing to keep in mind about supposedly pagan celebrations is that God loves to turn evil on its back. The Bible is replete with bad things happening, only to have God, in His infinite wisdom and in His perfect timing, turn it into a time of joy. Just like Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Or perhaps an even better example of this is the cross itself. Horrible torture and punishment, but through which God redeemed the world.

What the devil means for evil, Christ will turn it around and make it into a cause for real celebration.

So don’t worry and think too deeply on if you should let your kids put up the Christmas tree or go to an Easter egg hunt. Holidays are a time for fun and happiness with family. Focus on Jesus and the blessings He has given you and not the evil that this world sometimes fosters. Even the best of us Christians can say that, although we were once blind and lost, we are now a new creation through the finished works of Jesus Christ.

God’s blessings to you.

DH

Can God Use Me? – Since You Asked Q.3

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“In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.” – Romans 15:17 (esv)

I see all that Jesus has done and what He continues to do for me and I know that I can never repay Him. I look at some of the old saints and heroes of the Bible and wonder if I could ever measure up to any of them. These things are so much larger than me. What could little me do for such a great big God?

The Catholic Saint Therese of Lisieux once said, “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” I like hearing that because it gives me perspective that God doesn’t want you and I and even the old saints to be all the same. Jesus isn’t looking for all of us to be Peter. Sometimes He needs a Paul, a James, or a John. He is looking for each of us to be just what He created us to be: ourselves.

In short, you need to work what you’ve got. Just think about David in the Bible. He didn’t start out as this big warrior or king. He was slowly shepherd boy with a sling, but that’s exactly what God needed him to be. However, when he eventually did become king, David didn’t issue slings to all of his army even though that’s what he used to slay Goliath. That’s what worked for David at that point in time. God used David just as he was.

God will use you and I just as we are. Nothing in your life, good or bad, is for nothing. Give it all to Jesus Christ and see what happens next. You don’t need to try and make some grand gesture of holiness to please God. You may be surprised at what becomes of little you and your seemingly simple life as long as you give yourself up to Him as a tool for the Master to use.

That being said, you can try to give your time, your money, and even your skills, but unless you first give your heart to Jesus all you do will fail. Anything Jesus did was with great love. And just as the Master does, we must do the same. I am not some rich and powerful politician or business man who can do huge things for thousands of people. I’m just me, but I do have a heart for Jesus. I can’t do great things, but I can do little things with great love. To paraphrase the Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians, I can preach and give all I have, but without love I can do nothing.

So that’s how God can use you. Don’t be so focused on doing grand gestures for the poor or helpless. We’re all poor and helpless if our own way. What we need is to show love and to be shown love. Once your heart is in the hands of Jesus Christ, the rest of your own personal talents and skills will be used by Him in ways you would never expect. You are you. Nobody else ever has been you. So be the best you that you can be, because that’s exactly what God wants and needs. Your natural, plus God’s super, combines to make something supernatural and it all starts with your heart.

God’s blessings to you.

DH

We Saw His Star

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“Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:2

On the night Jesus Christ came into this world, there was a particular star that shined brightly above His birthplace. That star was many things to many people. To the wise, it was a symbol of hope and freedom. To the sinner, it was a stop sign. To the kings and Pharisees, it was an eviction notice. To the entire world, that star was a sign that nothing would ever be the same again.

Whether you believe in Him or not, Jesus Christ has changed the world forever. Our common calendar is based off of Christ’s birth. Phrases used every day, such as “Go the extra mile,” “blind leading the blind,” “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” or “straight and narrow” are all words straight from Christ’s mouth. This whole time of year especially is because of Jesus. You can say happy holidays all you want, but the truth of the matter is that Christ is the reason for the season. Even in places that are cynical of Christian values, I have heard Christmas music playing. Take the time to listen to those songs. Those are songs of praise and worship and they are being played all over the place and even all over the world this time of year.

To paraphrase the book of Acts, if this whole Jesus thing was just of men, it would turn to nothing. However, if this really is of God, there’s nothing in this world that can stop it. It’s been over two thousand years since the birth of Jesus and there is no silencing the believer, no matter what heretical laws are passed and no matter how politically correct this country becomes. Why? Because the person who has been forgiven of much shows the most love for the Lord. I have been forgiven of many wrongs in my life and, if by chance I am ever rendered mute, my actions and my very soul would still sing out in praise of the God Most High.

That’s why there was a bright and shining star. Even the universe shows praise to the Creator. So remember this time of year, Christmas time. Praise Jesus for what He has done and for the promises He’s given us. A believer’s future is sealed by complete and boundless love and it all started because a star was born, and His name is Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas and God’s blessings to you.

DH

How Will You Be Remembered?

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“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

I have a relative way back, I think my mom’s uncle, who was a bona fide faith healer. Some of the stories of how he mended bones and manifested great miracles blows my mind. He wasn’t the only one in my lineage that was strong in the Lord, but he really stands out. The unfortunate part is that I don’t even know his name. I can’t even pass along a name to my kids when they ask about him. It’s sad that so much faith and power and circumstance that went into this man’s life, and we don’t even remember his name.

That being said, a man like that with that much faith wouldn’t be interested in us knowing his name as much as he’d want us to know Jesus’s name. Any person who walks with God daily truly knows that it is God’s power that makes all the difference. Much like the moon reflecting the sun’s light, the best we can do is simply reflect as much of Jesus to this world as we can.

The Apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” How many of us can truly say that? Are you living for Jesus? Do you do everything not for the here and now, but for the joy that awaits you in Heaven? It hurts me to say that even I have days where I’m being selfish and do things that help nobody but me. Granted, you need to keep yourself healthy and safe, or else you can’t help others. But to who’s comfort do you seek, others’ or your own? A great person is not made through selfishness, but through sacrifice for others. You can amass wealth and fame and have it all, but it’s all for nothing if you lose your soul to get it.

The memory of my mom’s uncle and so many like him live on in our minds and hearts because of their close connection to Jesus. It’s about what they gave and not what they took from this world. And although this generation forgot much about them, we are stronger in the Lord because of people like him and that’s what really matters. Will the next generation say the same about you? If not, now is your season and time for change.

God’s blessings to you.

DH

Are Pictures of Jesus Graven Images?- Since You Asked Q.2

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“I see Jesus everywhere in a bunch of paintings and statues. Doesn’t that break one of the Ten Commandments when it says not to make any graven images or idols?”

‘Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.’ – Leviticus 19:4

This is an excellent question and one that I hear frequently. If we aren’t to make graven images, why are there an enormous amount of statues and paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and etc.? Aren’t we making idols for ourselves to worship?

To begin this conversation, you need to know what an idol really is. An idol by definition is the object of worship. We never want to worship a created object in any way, thinking that the object is the source and origination of some godly power. However, having a picture of Jesus around is not a bad thing in and of itself.

Do you have any pictures of your mom or dad, or maybe some of your spouse and children? I know I do, a bunch of them in fact. Do I love those pictures? I may say that, but what I really love are the memories and the images of what they portray. I wouldn’t throw my kids away in favor of their picture, that would be insane. In truth, I love my wife and kids, but I keep their pictures around as a visible reminder of them.

The same thing can be said for a picture of Jesus Christ. I don’t truly love the picture. That picture didn’t die for my sins. That picture isn’t the son of the Most High God. That picture simply reminds me of a love that I share with my Creator and reminds me of the person and works of Jesus Christ.

We are both spiritual beings and physical beings all at once. We connect spiritually through such things as love, compassion, and other feelings. However, we also connect through the visible manifestations of those feelings. I can tell my wife I love her all day long, but she connects with it more when I do something to show her love, like a hug or a kiss. Does that mean the feeling is not needed? Certainly not. Once agin, we are souls and we are bodies, and one needs the other in this world.

One thing of note, and I touched on it before, is that when the visible object replaces the true and real object, that’s when you have an idol. We may look up to sports and movie stars, and that’s ok within reason. But you can eventually start to look to those stars as the end all-be all of your life. That’s when you have an idol problem. An idol is something, anything, that you can’t live without. That can be a person or a drug or even a feeling. Any creation that you raise above the Creator Himself is an idol.

To put it another way, if you are a Christian, you are housing the Holy Spirit within you. You are His temple. And just as I wouldn’t want some strange man in my house living there, God doesn’t want strange idols or anything ruling his house but Him. In short, God wants to be number one in the house.

In closing, a picture or a statue of our Savior is not a bad thing. It doesn’t mean we are worshipping a picture and making it into our idol. If you see something like a painting or even a Bible and it reminds you that you are loved by the God of the universe, that’s a good thing. Just don’t put that picture or that Bible above the Savior it refers to. Reminders are important, but the real thing is better by far.

God’s blessings to you.

DH