How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news....

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”.  Romans 10:13-15

There is so much that can be said about this passage of scripture, but this is what the Lord gave to me to share as I meditated on it........

What is the good news? It is the very word of God.  The word of God is absolute and synonymous with truth.  Hebrews 4:12 says of the Word:  For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. It is definitive, as clearly illustrated by this Hebrews scripture.  If it is able to divide soul and spirit, joint and marrow then it is precise, exact, definitive.  It stands alone as the very word of God.  All of us who are born again believers in Christ Jesus are called to bring the good news to all who do not believe and to encourage those who do believe.  The word of God speaks to every situation, every hurt, pain and sorrow - every need.  Those who carry the Gospel to those who are lost - how beautiful are their feet.  Those of us who are believers in Christ Jesus must teach, preach and share the authentic word of God to the world - unashamed of it's message.  I truly believe that the reason many people reject Christ is because they have come into contact with people professing to be a follower of Christ, but have either presented a convoluted version of the Gospel or are living completely contrary to what it commands.

What an awesome responsibility it is to preach the Gospel.  What a burden it is to preach the Gospel - to know that when you get up to proclaim the god news, depending on what you say, it will either lead people to Christ and all of the freedom that is found in Him or send them away confused with a word that is not authentic.  I cannot imagine the personal sacrifice that pastors make in order to preach the Gospel and I lift them up in prayer continually.  I was talking to a very close friend of mine a couple of weeks ago, who happens to be a preacher.  I shot him a text one Sunday morning and said that I was praying for him as he proclaimed the Gospel that morning. He responded asking me to pray because he was not sure what the end of his sermon was going to be.  I responded by saying "good, total dependence on God" .  His last text was yes, I like that - total dependence on God.  This is indicative of the struggles that preachers of the Gospel go through.  That deep desire for the flesh to decrease and for God to be glorified, and say to His people what He wants them to hear.  That is a great burden that I can only in part, understand.

I was listening to a preacher of the Gospel a while ago who preached a very good sermon.  I learned some things from that sermon that enhanced my growth and Biblical knowledge, and was blessed by that.  There was one statement,  however, that the preacher made that troubled me.  He said that the pastor is our covering - he or she can get a prayer through when we can't.  I found this statement to be a dangerous one because if  those hearing it actually believe that statement is true, then they will put their trust in the pastor or a preacher, and when that person falls or disappoints or does not come through for them - it may cause them to fall away from God.  All because of a distorted word.  Jesus is our covering.  He is the only one qualified to cover because of His sinless life and sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.  Because of that sacrifice we can go beyond the veil into the very presence of God and commune with Him without assistance from man.  We should call on one another to pray for each other, but the freedom comes in knowing that if we cannot communicate with anyone else;  if we cannot get to the telephone or the internet is down, or our text messaging system is down - we can go directly to God through Jesus Christ and make our petitions known to the One who already knows all about us and our situation.  I bring up this example not to say anything bad about the one who made the statement, but rather to let it serve as an example of how careful we all have to be when proclaiming the Word of God.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.  To those who share the Gospel in grocery stores, on the bus, on the job, on the street, at the gas station, in our homes.  We have to take the Gospel to the world and show those who do not know Him who He is.  The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation of everyone who believes.   And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard - it is a charge for the preacher, yes.  But it is also a charge for all believers in Jesus Christ to bring the good news to those who are lost.

Be blessed....and let's continue to grow together in Him

Thirsty.....

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Thirsty -needing moisture, craving something, desiring to drink, in need of water, dry or parched.  Many of us go through life in this state - searching for something to quench our thirst.  We go to work, craving notoriety; we go to school, craving acceptance from our friends; we go to church, craving love, kindness and understanding but are ultimately disappointed, left void of what we need and our thirst remains unquenched.  Our thirst may be quenched temporarily, but ultimately we become dry and desolate yet again, because we are drinking from the wrong well.  That well is filled with all those things that at first, appear genuine, but in reality are counterfeit and fraught with deceit.  Jesus offers us the right well.  That well IS the word of God.  It is synonymous with truth.  You can trust and depend on it.  It is absolute.  In it you will find everything that you need.  It fills all void.  It encourages, offers hope, love and restoration.  Once you have received the word of God it becomes a never ending spring within you and you will never thirst again.  Read the word of God, write it on your heart so that you can drink from that well continually.  

Sometimes I find myself thirsty and desperate for more - and then I realize that more  already lives inside of me. Be clear that the well is not full of my own desire and some ominous sense of what I think.  It is the very word of God -that well that will never run dry.  All I have to do is drink....

Marvin Sapp wrote and recorded a wonderful worship song simply entitled “Thirsty”.  My soul is thirsty, my soul is thirsty for you. As the deer is thirsty for the water, so does my soul long for thee. My spirit needs refreshing, Father I’m thirsty, thirsty for you.  Let me drink from the fountain that never shall run dry.  The fountain of everlasting life.  For if I drink of your water, I will never thirst again.  Let me draw from your living well. My soul is thirsty for you.

If we do not drink from this well - of God and His word - then we become restless, and we remain restless until we find our rest in Him.  This kind of rest will bring you indescribable joy and peace. This rest is eternal.  Allow God to quench your thirst with His love and peace, through His word.  Jesus is there with you, just as He was with the woman at the well.  He knows your name and everything about you, just as He knew the woman at the well.  He is calling you unto Himself.  If you do not know Jesus that is alright, because the good news is that He knows you.  He died just for you and is always interceding on your behalf to the Father, just for you.  He stands right at your heart, waiting, knocking - you only have to let Him in.  God, if you are who you say you are, reveal yourself to me just like you revealed yourself to the woman at the well - that I may know you.  He is faithful to do it. You have to be faithful then to receive Him and not reject Him....Drink from His well....

God bless and keep you....

Rebuild Me.....

It have been several months since I have posted on my blog.  I apologize to those who have missed it and count it a blessing that folks have reached out wondering why the break.  I took some time off and have been really studying, praying and meditating on the Word of God.  It is so easy at times to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and miss what God is trying to show you.

I was reading an E-Devotion post by Pastor Bsett the other day and he meditated on Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."   
The context of the scripture is that Mary and Martha are preparing for Jesus to visit their home.  Martha was busy preparing the house - cooking, cleaning, etc., while Mary was still.  Martha was concerned with preparing the outward and tangible things, while Mary was preparing her heart to receive Jesus.  
I have really strived over the past few months to position myself, like Mary, in a place where I can hear from God.  I have eliminated all of the extra running around and stress and hustle and have strived to (as much as possible) be still and hear from God.  


Sometimes, as Christians we do all of the busy work. We do it at home, at school, at work and at church. We focus on the things that have no real meaning, oftentimes to please others.  What we should focus on is stilling ourselves before God and making our hearts ready to receive what He has to teach and reveal to us. The "work" that we must do is spiritual.  It is on the inside - so that others can see the work of the Lord in our lives, that they too may come to know Jesus.  Everything else is busy work.  I am not suggesting that we do not work, because faith without works is dead, but rather I am suggesting that our work not just be busy - that it be productive in the building up of the Kingdom of God.
There is a hymn that I learned as a young girl entitled Only What You Do For Christ Will Last - my sincere prayer is that we are all mindful of what is for Christ, and what is just busy work.


You may build great cathedrals large or small, you can build skyscrapers grand and tall, you may conquer all the failures of the past, but only what you do for Christ will last.


You may seek earthly power and fame, the world might be impressed by your great name, soon the glories of this life will all be past, but only what you do for Christ will last.


Though your armies may control each hemisphere, and your orbits out in space cause men to cheer, your scientific knowledge may be vast, but only what you do for Christ will last.


Though your song and prayers are heard and praised by man, they've no meaning unless you've been born again,
sinner, heed these words, don't let this harvest pass, for only what you do for Christ will last.


Remember only what You do for Christ will last. Remember only what you do for Christ will last,
only what you do for Him will be counted at the end; only what you do for Christ will last.


I was at a low point emotionally in ministry, home and working in the church.  I realized that I was Martha.  I allowed myself to be so concerned with all of the busy work,  that the real work in the Kingdom that God had called me to do suffered greatly.  It is what has helped me to rebuild.....


Be blessed and continue to stay in the Word of God....... 

God's way, not your way......

I have been in the book of Colossians this week and plan to stay there until I get all that God has for me to learn from this book.  Paul wrote to the folk in Colossae from his prison cell.  He was of course imprisoned for spreading the Gospel. He was writing to the people of Colossae because he had heard that they were being influenced by false ideas and practices instead of operating and trusting in Christ.

 I will focus today on Colossians 2:8:  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.


We often times are like the people of Colossae.  We follow whatever teaching our Pastors and other leaders tell us.  We cling to their words instead of the word of God. We must be careful as adults and as young people to know the word of God for ourselves.  Pastors and leaders are usually very well meaning, but are also human.  They are open to the same attacks as we are as it relates to keeping our eyes on Jesus and His teaching. You must know the word of God in order to match it up to what you are being taught or told, to verify its validity.  Oftentimes we choose to believe that what we are being taught is true because it appeals to the way that we are already operating.  We must be careful to do what God says and commands because it is what is best for us.  We should not lean to our own way of doing things because we feel as if God isn't moving fast enough or isn't delivering the "quick" results that we desire. This command in Colossians 2:8 is applicable to ALL areas of our lives and all areas in the life of the Church - relationships, trials and tribulations, money.  It is an all inclusive Gospel message.

I urge you to not sit back and allow deceptive philosophy to be taught and implemented in the form of programs and campaigns in your church and in your life.  Speak up and out, respectfully and with grace, using the scripture to gently lead those promoting these deceptive philosophies back into a right relationship and order with God.  We cannot depend on human tradition.  We MUST do things in accordance with the word of God, with no exception.   Proverbs 14:12 tells us: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  If we continue to do things the way that seems right to us, it will certainly end in death.  Jesus is all sufficient.  Everything we need is found in Him.  You do not have to rack your brain trying to come up with solutions to the areas in your life that are problematic.  He already has the answer.  Lean on and trust in Him.  Choose the God's way -- His way is found in His Word.  


May God bless you and keep you!  Stay in the Word of God.....

Pastor Bsett's E-Devotion

"When you fast , do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast , put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.   (Matthew 6:16-18 NIV)

I usually don't share too much the details of how often I fast, because of this text, spoken by Jesus.  Fasting should be personal, between you and your Father in Heaven.  It should not be broadcasted because it should not be obvious to men/women  that you are fasting as Jesus stated.  Saying that (hoping I'm not contradicting myself, but I must share) I have just completed a season of fasting - a period of where I abstained from food, and completely sought the LORD.  It was a wonderful experience, one that I have not felt in a long time.  It makes me realize how much I need to fast.  As I sit here today, I miss that time of seeking the LORD.  And that is not to say that I did not pray or read my bible today, but to be in a period of fasting is different.  I can't explain how it's different, but it is just different.  I am desiring more of God's presence in my life, and that only comes through fasting.  I have come to understand that in order to be able to walk in God's authority, fasting must become a regular discipline in the life of the believer.  It must be a discipline to abstain from food, and seek the LORD for a period of time.  Once you do this, you will realize that you can't do without it.  This life will have you frustrated and thinking about 10 things at once.  We need time to just think about the LORD.  When we do this, we will see how much the LORD will reveal to us and how much we won't trip on stuff that doesn’t really matter.  Most of all, I've found that while fasting, the LORD will begin to prepare you for whatever is ahead of you.  Without fasting, we enter into what the LORD has for us unprepared.

Jesus began this verse by saying "when you fast"…….we cannot apply His teachings unless we do fast.

Father in Heaven, as the deer pants for streams of water, our soul pants for you!  We thank you for another day and for the blessings you give us with each day.  Give us the desire to fast more LORD!  Give us the desire for intimate fellowship with you!  Prepare us for your work, building up the kingdom of God on earth!  We will give you all praise and all glory for what you do through us!  In Jesus name, Amen.

Pastor Bsett's E-Devotion

Jesus said, "I am thirsty ."  (John 19:28b NIV)

As I am sitting here today, pondering over various things in life and ministry, these words of Jesus just penetrated my soul - I am thirsty.  These words caused me to reflect and direct my attentions and desires appropriately.   This is the presence of the LORD in my life.  We understand this is the fifth word of the Christ on the cross of Calvary.  In His anguish and despair, He cried out these words.  Physically, He probably was thirsty.  But this text suggests that His cry was to fulfill prophesy.  Psalm 42:1-2 and Psalm 63:1 appropriately explain to us what exactly Jesus was thirsty for. 

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 42:1-2 NIV

O God, you are my God,

earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you,

my body longs for you,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1 NIV

This is the prophesy Jesus was fulfilling.  As I reflect, Jesus is on the cross, already abandoned by the Father for our sake.  Alone with no where to go.  Yet in this condition, Jesus reminds me that the what was important in His life is the presence of the Father and completing His work.  Wouldn't you suggest that Jesus was in bad shape at this time.  Alone, in physical pain, about to die.  Yet Jesus was thirsty for God - for His Father's presence.  Maybe in our condition, with all the stuff we are going through right now, this is what we should be focusing on.  He had previously said that if anyone was thirsty, he should come to Him and drink (John 7:37) and yet we see Him backing up what He said, reminding us that even Jesus was thirsty for God's presence.

Today, I am thirsty for God.  I want more of God.  I love being in the presence of God.  This is what should be important to us.  Are you thirsty?

Heavenly Father, as the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you!  We love you today Father and we praise you!  We thank you for another day and as we thirst more and more for you, we ask for you to manifest your presence strong in our lives today, as we seek to share the light of Christ with someone who needs to know you!  We bless you and thank you, in Jesus name, Amen.

Watch what you say....

We must watch what we say. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21, that words are powerful, even to the point of giving life and death.  We can either speak life (encouragement, building up) into someone's life - or we can speak death (discouragement, tearing down) into someone's life.

James 3:3-12 says this:


A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!


It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!


We see from this passage of scripture that it is beyond challenging to control our tongue.  We must ask God to control our tongues, to give us the words to say in each and every situation.  We must pray for God to fill our minds with life giving thoughts so that we will speak life at all times.  The verses above in bold type are so important to carry with us.  We must carefully consider the fact that we can literally kill someones spirit, their self-confidence, their self-worth, all with words that come from our mouth.  


My prayer is that we all build each other up and encourage each other with our words.  Young people, you have a unique opportunity to build your fellow classmates up at school while they are still young.  If you see someone at school that is withdrawn or that other kids talk negatively about...take some time to speak a word of encouragement into their life.  Build that person up.  Tell them that God loves them and you love them too.  You have no idea what your show of love and encouragement will do for that person.


The old adage is true: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"  - choose to remain silent, instead of speaking death and killing someone.  What you say is just that powerful......


Live for Christ....speak life!